ZAMBIA ELECTION DAY REPORT #2: STILL CALM AND SLOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 001053


E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA ELECTION DAY REPORT #2: STILL CALM AND SLOW

REF: A. LUSAKA 1052

B. LUSAKA 1050

C. LUSAKA 1049

D. LUSAKA 1048 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: DCM Michael Koplovsky, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Voters continue to trickle in to polling stations
throughout the afternoon, leading up to closing time at 6:00
pm. Embassy observer teams report calm and orderly voting,
with issues being taken care of according to electoral rules
and regulations. While there will probably be a surge of
voters late in the afternoon, some polling station staff were
pessimistic that they would see even 50 percent voter
participation.


2. (U) The issue of replacement voter registration cards
(reftel A) has gained some momentum as the opposition
Patriotic Front (PF) alleges that many of the missing
replacement cards are for voters in constituencies that are
traditionally PF strongholds, including in the Copperbelt.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is supposedly flying
some of the cards up to the Copperbelt so that voters will be
able to vote before the close of polls.


3. (C) Zambian Army Commander General Isaac Chisuzi was
quoted in the Zambia Daily Mail on October 30 warning of
stern action against those who might incite or participate in
violence during the presidential election. "The Zambian Army
will not allow any disturbances in the nation," the paper
quoted Chisuzi as saying in a statement released to the
press. The PF seized upon the statement as proof that the
ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) was attempting
to rig the elections by intimidating voters. DAO and RSO did
a windshield tour of military cantonments and police camps on
October 30 and saw no signs of heightened alert or reinforced
security.


4. (SBU) The ECZ has apparently reversed an earlier decision
not to release any results until all 150 constituencies had
reported. ECZ Chair Justice Florence Mumba announced on
October 29 that the first announcement of interim results is
expected by the morning of Friday, November 1. An ECZ source
told Emboff that the Commission had come under pressure to
release interim results from opposition parties who felt that
the chances of rigging increased the longer results were held
back.

BOOTH