POLICE MANDATED TO PROTECT BALLOT BOXES, SAYS CHONGWE ELECTORAL OFFICER

By JOHN KOMBETHE Zambia police are the only ones mandated to provide security for election materials, stating that no other institution has the mandate to do so, Chongwe district electoral officer, Mulowa Sishuwa has said.Mr. Sishuwa made the observation when he addressed political party representatives and other stakeholders when the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) delivered ballot boxes for Chongwe constituency.He was reacting to suggestions by unnamed stakeholders who offered to provide security for the ballot boxes.Chongwe received four pallets of ballot boxes which contained 134 ballot boxes. The boxes were stored at the Chongwe Civic Centre strong room. The delivery and receipt of the items were witnessed by representatives from UNIP, DP, UPND, PF and four independent candidates.Mr. Sishuwa said that the State police were the only ones who had the mandate to protect public property.He said that the ballot papers were one such public property that should only be secured by the police. […]