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{
    "id": 1120589,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1120589/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 38,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 47 (1) to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern, namely, the Joint Observation Mission of presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in Zambia by the Forum of Parliaments for Member States of the ICGLR. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the FPICGLR had the privilege to participate in a Joint Election Observer Mission in Zambia between 5th and 16th August, 2021 alongside UN, AU, COMESA and other election monitoring groups. The delegation from Kenya comprised Members of FPICGLR drawn from both Houses of Parliament and led by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Senate, who serves as the President of the FPICGLR. The election observer mission entailed preparatory activities prior to the day of the voting exercise, such as training, mapping of the polling centres and the briefing sessions. Thereafter, the delegation engaged in observing the voting exercise, which included opening the polling stations, voting infrastructure and personnel, availability and management of voting material, tallying and announcement of the election results. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Zambia has a robust legal framework on elections. All electoral seats are contested through the fast and the post system, with the exception of the President and Vice President who are elected by simple majority. The winning presidential candidate and his or her running mate must receive more than 50 percent plus one of the valid votes cast. If no presidential candidate receives that, a second round of voting must be held within 37 days of the first election. Only the two candidates receiving the highest number of valid votes cast will be candidates in the second round election. The right to vote is extended to prisoners and the electoral commissioners are accorded security of tenure. Additionally, campaigns run up to the night preceding the elections. With respect to affirmative action – unlike in the Constitution of Kenya – there are no reserved seats for women in the National Assembly. However, Article 69 of the Constitutional Amendment Act of 2016 allows the President to nominate up to eight persons to enhance gender representation. Article 45 states that the electoral system shall ensure gender equity in the National Assembly. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2021 general election took place against a backdrop of heightened political tension in the country, which was compounded by a shrinking economy made worse by the global COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in increased socioeconomic inequalities and social disenchantment by the citizens. Evidence of the heightened political situation was seen through the pockets of violence reported in the Zambian capital of Lusaka as well as northern, southern and Michinga provinces, where supporters of the then governing Patriotic Front (PF) and the then opposition Party for National Development (UPND) clashed. Concerns over the"
}