Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) Election Observers Jet In

THE Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and its election observation mission (EOM) has arrived in the country to observe the general elections and referendum that will take place on August 11, 2016.

Deputy Head of Mission Denis Kadima said in a statement over the weekend that the EISA observers are in Zambia to conduct an independent assessment of the electoral process and contribute to its peaceful and transparent conduct through their findings and recommendations.

He said the observer mission led by former Mauritius President Cassam Uteem consists of 10 short term observers (STOs) drawn from Election Management Bodies and civil society organisations from the African continent.

“The Mission will base its assessment on the standards and obligations stipulated in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation; and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, “Mr Kadima said.

He said the EISA observers will follow pre-polling, Election Day and post-polling activities, and will be deployed in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Southern and Western Provinces, where they will consult with electoral stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), political parties and candidates, the Zambia Police Services, media and civic groups.

Mr Kadima said EISA has been involved in Zambian electoral processes since 2000, when it supported the ECZ to establish its conflict management panels and develop civic and voter education materials.

Thereafter it deployed observer missions to the 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2015 elections. The EISA EOM to the 2016 elections notes that these elections are taking place under a reformed legal framework that to a great extent reflects the recommendations issued by previous election observer missions, including EISA EOMs.