The experience of losing a Voter's Card and why the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) must invest in the Finger Print Voting System

She arrived at the Kitwe Civic Center with hope of acquiring a new Voter’s Card even after the exercise closed months ago.
After finding out from relevant authorities, she was advised nothing could be done with her case despite having hope that a letter would be written for her to be recognized as a Registered Voter.

Finger Print Voting Machine

The story of Agness Mulenga of Kitwe left me thinking whether there were no options to allow individuals that had lost their voters cards few days to elections to take part in the elections as the 25 year old looked helplessly.

After receiving the unfortunate news, she removed her glasses looking teary after realizing that she had no chance to take part in the Zambian elections slated for August, 11th 2016.
She wept as I drew closer to get her side of the story, despite her emotional appearance; she opened up explaining her unfortunate fate.
"Our house was gutted last night and my Voter’s Card was among other important documents that I have lost following the unfortunate event, we don't know how the fire started and property has been lost but losing my Voter’s Card is the most painful one. You know these elections are crucial and being denied a chance to vote due to lack of technology hurts a lot" she narrated as tears run down her face.
"You know the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has money, why don't they invest in technological equipment to handle problems like mine"? She questioned as she looked frustrated.

“Life is quiet unfair, I have always wanted to vote, my time came and it’s all lost” she broke down.

Her experience was one of those moments that many people are going through currently yet there is nothing that can be done according to those given the authority. It is still shocking that so many people have no opportunities because they lost their documents to allow them vote under unclear circumstances.

The process of voter registration only comes into effect prior to elections and the system seems more tedious as people are forced to queue for long hours to get their voters cards. In 2015 President Edgar Lungu was quoted as saying, He was discussing with some funders to finance the electronic voting in Zambia.

The current system works in a way that the user has to show his/her 'voter’s card’ where he/she goes to the polling booth to poll his/her 'vote. The process is however time consuming as the person has to check the 'voters card’ with the list he/her has, confirm it as an authorised card and then allow the person to poll his/her 'vote. 

 

Electronic Finer Print Voting Machine

In the Finger print based electronic voting the person at the polling booth will only have to place his/her thumb and the date will be captured the be allowed to vote. If a person is not a registered voter the system will be able to detect then the person will not be allowed to vote.

Referring to Agness’ scenario, her case is no different from what many Zambians are experiencing and it is important that the electoral Commission of Zambia takes time to serious look at this issue and help as many people to take part in the elections as they try to fight Voter Apathy that continues to characterize Zambian elections.

Is Zambia ready to implement the Finger Print Based Electronic Voting Machine? Well that’s a topic for another day, but looking how the voting process has been since multiparty system, the process has been so involving.

This move if you ask me has contributed to an increase in voter apathy as most people have had problems to queue up for longer hours just to cast their votes while it would only take a minute with the Finger Print Based Electronic Voting.

The case of Agness is a reality and many people will be affected in the forthcoming general elections in Zambia, while the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) shall continue to depend on their voter register without knowing how many people still have their voter’s cards after registration.

The Zambian Government must show political will in helping top addressing the pertinent issues as opposed to making rhetoric statements that have not yielded any results due to lack of seriousness.

With such interest and passion from people like Agness, it is important that their efforts are supplemented with improved systems that will make their contribution easier and help in reducing voter apathy.