ECZ COMMENCES TRAINING IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AHEAD OF THE AUGUST 11 POLLS

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it has commenced training its stakeholders in in electoral disputes and mediation skills ahead of the forthcoming August 11 general elections.

Central province Electoral officer Alfred Nyambose says this is because the conflict management plays a vital role in resolving electoral disputes.

Mr Nyambose said it is for this reason that  there is need to equip  conflict management committees with mediation skills prior to the August 11 general elections
saying this will enable them resolve disputes that may arise before and during the elections.

“Conflict Management and the need to mediate disputes cannot be over-emphasised and this training is timely as the Commission prepares
for the 11^th August general elections.” Mr Nyambose Observed.

He said this in a speech read for him by Serenje District Electoral officer Pamela Zulu during a five day ECZ conflict management training being held at

Villa Mbanandi Lodge in Serenje District,

Mr Nyambose, who is also the Central Province Local Government Officer, added that the ECZ will acquaint district management committees with new training materials to ensure that they are up-to-date with the new legal frame work in view of the amended constitution.

“The training will upgrade and consolidate mediation skills acquired in earlier training undertaken before 2016.” He said.

Mr Nyambose further thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the support towards enhancing the capacity of the national
and district conflict management committees in resolving and mitigating electoral conflict under the support to the Zambian electoral cycle project.

The training has drawn participants from active political parties, civil society, the Church, Police and other government department
from Serenje, Chitambo, Luano and Mkushi districts, respectively.

He also urged participants to listen carefully to acquire the skills necessary to deal with disputes that may be referred to the committees.
for settlement.