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COMESA launches election observer mission to Zambia

Xinhua, August 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Africa's largest trading bloc on Friday launched an election observer mission to Zambia with a call for free and peaceful elections.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) said it has deployed a 30-member short-term observer team for Zambia's general elections and referendum to be held on August 11.

"Our mission will endeavor to observe the various phases of the electoral cycle including campaigns, voting, vote counting and declaration of election results," team leader Gamal Rashed told reporters.

He added that the mission will dispatch 12 observer teams to seven of the country's 10 provinces.

According to him, the mission has already held a meeting with the Electoral Commission of Zambia which has assured that it was doing everything possible to ensure that the elections were free and fair.

The observer mission comprises representatives from several COMESA member states, representatives of the COMESA Electoral Management Bodies and officials from the East African Community.

Zambia will next week hold presidential, legislative and local government elections alongside a referendum meant to amend part three of the country's constitution which deals with people's rights. Endit