Disability Rights Watchsays it is delighted that the Electoral Commission of Zambia has commenced preparations for the 2026 General Elections with efforts to engage persons with disabilities and their representative organisations through a recently held workshop.
In a statement organization Programmes Coordinator Bruce Chooma called on the ECZ to take immediate steps to address the disability accessibility challenges that the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) recently revealed in its monitoring report of the Continuous Registration of Voters (CRV) conducted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
He said the requirement to facilitate inclusive voter registration is a matter of human rights and the commission must work on making the centres physically accessible and train their staff and or agents on how to mobilise and handle persons with disabilities.
“DRW is concerned that with the onset of the rains, access too many registration centres especially in rural areas will be very challenging especially to persons with disabilities hence the need to create an enabling environment for their meaningful participation,” he said.
He further encouraged ECZ, political and all stakeholders to continue raising awareness about the continuous voter registration exercise, with specific focus on encouraging the youth, first time voters, women and persons with disabilities to participate in the exercise.
