ZAMBIAN PRISONERS TO VOTE IN 2021 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Zambia’s electoral body has confirmed that it will facilitate the enjoyment of the right to vote by Zambian prisoners in the next general elections slated for August, 2021. This follows a Constitutional Court judgment which affirmed the right of inmates to participate in elections as voters. This decision has aroused mixed reactions from civil society and political parties . This is despite the decision only affirming the constitutional rights of citizens and putting Zambia on a progressive human rights standing with other countries in Africa and around the world where prisoners enjoy the right to vote. Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano said following the case of Godfrey Malembeka of Prison Care and Counseling Association (PRISCA) Vs Attorney General and ECZ in which the court held that prisoners’ rights to vote should be upheld, the commission would allow the inmates to vote in the 2021 general elections. He said the commission wa