Bflow rocks hometown Kabwe the Triple V Concert

By Brenda Zulu

Makululu mine Comet grounds came alive when Bflow populary known as Brian Bwembia rocked the Triple V Concert in Kabwe where he entertained and encouraged male and female youths to register and  vote.

Bflow who successfully delivered the voter education message to the youths ensured that the targeted voters be ready, willing, and able to participate fully in the 2016 election process in Zambia. Bflow made sure that youths were well-informed and can effectively exercise their voting rights and express their political will on Election Day.

Bflow educated the youths on voter registration and emphasized on the need for the them to acquire a National Registration Card (NRC) for them to register for the voters card.

Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya (born November 12, 1986) known as B Flow, is a Zambian Dance hall Artist, Social Justice Advocate, Part Time Radio Presenter, Peer Educator and Owner of Chant-It-On Music & Media is also the current Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) committee of the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM). The stage name B Flow was inspired by numerous praises from people who loved his 'flow'.

The Go Out To Vote project aims at addressing voter apathy amongst young people in Zambia by encouraging them to register as voters, verify their details in the voter register and finally go out and vote during the 2016 elections.

Bflow explained that Triple V Campaign stands for My Vote, My Voice and My Victor.

ends

Encourage Youths to be involved in Governance Issues

By Brenda Zulu

BFLOW selfie

The Triple V campaign has been commended for encouraging youths to be involved in governance issues.

Triple V Campaign which stands for My Vote, My Voice and My Victory under the Go Out To Vote  project is a coalition of  National Women Lobby Group (NWL), Operation Young Vote (OYV), Young Women in Action (YWA) and Anti- Voter Apathy  has brought joy and excitement to Kabwe residents.

Central Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Ronald Sinyangwe observed that Zambian youths in the past 50 years were trained in certain way whereby they feel that government should provide everything for them. He however emphasized that there was need for a paradigm shift to such thinking as the future lies in the youths.

“As you sensitize young people, it is important for them to understand issues of governance. It is about the youth being relevant to the nation. I am glad that this is the first year after the jubilee year as the next 50 years are for the youths,” said Sinyangwe.

He emphasized on the need for youths to have their own visions. He pointed out that there was need for every youth to be hard working and not allow anybody else to buy their vote.

“Buying a vote is putting a curse on someone. My vote is priceless and it cannot be bought,” he said.

He called on the Triple V campaign CSO coalition to assist the country focus on the development of the country.

He pointed out that in Makululu area which is one of the biggest settlement in Southern Africa after Soweto in South Africa, they have highest HIV/AIDS statistics and it would be important for the people to learn how to live positively.

He urged the youths to be self-sufficient and depend on their own and not be dependent on other people. “It gives a lot of pride to be on one’s own and to have a back bone. As for the youths it is time to grow up despite their young age. One has to be resilient. It does not matter how one begins but how you finish. God determines our victory,” said Sinyangwe.

“Without the youths it is would be very difficult to achieve our objective of putting leaders in office,” said  Patrick Chishala,  Kabwe District Commissioner.

Chishala was encouraged by the un-conversional way of reaching the youth on their social media and through music as this attracts the youth. He however emphasized that the youths should target other youths in voter education because in the past the youths have been targeting older people.

“You should encourage and motivate the youths and the approach mattes,” said Chishala.

“Reminding young people to be involved in governance is the pivotal role that the council has on voter registration,” said Pamela Zulu, Director Housing for Social Services at the Kabwe Council.

She observed that when organisations make linkages as the Triple V CSO coalition has done, news spreads fast. She however observed that targeting the female and male youths starts at family level. She urged the Triple V Campaign CSO coalition to at one time also target the parents.

“When it comes to governance issues, we have not done so well because we started very late to involve the youths. We have the voter campaign and now we are doing monitoring. District Voter Education  DVEC started the publicity very late and ECZ has been doing the media campaign. We have been strategizing to use the church because it is the same people who go to church and who also vote,” explained Ms Zulu.

“I used the church platform at the Seventh Day Adventist Day Church where I educated the youths on voter registration. It is not a sin. The bible says give Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser and if you love God, you will abide by what he has allowed you to do,” said Ms Zulu.

As a council they have been looking at decentralization and were re-tracking the community welfare and have since deployed five community centers. It is hoped that the youths will be able to spend time at the Community Centers for networking and skills development.

The Triple V concert to be held in Kabwe today will be graced by Brian Bwembia populary known as B-Flow at Comet Grounds, in Makululu mine, Kabwe. Brian will entertain and also educate the youths on voter education of which he will the youth to register as voters.

The Triple V campaign was all about reducing voter apathy and encouraging the youth to register, verify and to go out and vote said Guess Nyirenda, OYV Director and Chairperson of the Triple V campaign.

The Triple V Campaign is targeting young women and men and is supported by OSISA and HIVOS said Juliet Chibuta Director NWLG.

Voter Registration Re open in Mulobezi

The Electral Commission of Zambia suspended the voter registration for seven (7) days because of the by-election in Sichili Ward.

The seven days has come to an end so at 08 hrs today all the eleven (11) registration centres will be opened for the next seven (7) days before shifting to other centres.

Go and register as a voter at :-
1. Mulobezi primary school
2. Machile primary school
3. Lonze primary school
4. Namakombwe primary school
5. Sichili primary school
6. Bbobbo primary school
7. Kasamba primary school
8. Mbulumina primary school
9. Mboma primary school
10. Tukongote primary school and
11. Civic Centre
registered now your vote your voice your Victory

Lusaka registers 29, 363 Voters in One Week

By Brenda Katongola

 LUSAKA District has recorded an overwhelming 29, 363 voters since the Voter Registration exercise commenced on 14th September, 2015.

Lusaka District Electoral Officer (DEO), Alex Mwansa said the figure represents the period from Monday, 14th September 2015 to Sunday, 20th September, 2015.

The District Electoral Officer, who is also Lusaka Town Clerk, said he was encouraged with the number of registered voters and appealed to more would-be voters to take advantage of the registration period which commenced on Monday, 14th September and will end on Wednesday, 11th November, 2015.
Of the 29, 363 captured voters, 20, 415 are new registrations of which 7, 092 are females and 13, 323 are males, while 9, 354 are re-registering with 3,194 being females and 6, 160 being males.

Among the constituencies that have recorded the highest number of registered voters are Mandevu with 6, 150 followed by Matero 4,452 and Kanyama with 4, 247. Three reports of deceased persons were recorded in Mandevu constituency.

“I am impressed with the number of people who have registered as voters for the 2016 general elections. I am particularly happy with the number of new registrations, especially the youths who have show special interest to vote for the first time,” Mr. Mwansa said. 

Mr. Mwansa appealed to all youths and women that have attained the age of 18 or those that will have attained 18 years by 31st July, 2015 can register as voters because they too, are eligible to vote.
He also urged all those that may have lost their voters cards or their National Registration Cards (NRC) or those that have either their NRC’s or voters cards defaced or damaged to go and have them replaced.

He said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs has made it easier to obtain a police report at the registration centres.

The District Electoral Officer advised that some registration centres in the first phase may move to other centres in the second phase, while others will remain because of the high turnout of people being recorded at some places where there are many registration streams.

“Some registration centres in Lusaka Central, Chawama and Matero constituency may not move in the second phase; for example at Chawama Community Hall, Lusaka City Library and George Central Primary School, Kizito Primary School and New Matero Boys School,” Mr. Mwansa said. 

ISSUED BY:
Brenda Katongola (Ms.)
DISTRICT VOTER EDUCATION COMMITTEE (DVEC) COORDINATOR

ECZ kicks starts voter registration

By ZNBC Reporter

The Electoral Commission of Zambia – ECZ has officially launched the voter registration exercise for 2015.

Speaking during the launch at Lusaka’s Roma Girls Secondary School on Monday, ECZ chairperson Esau Chulu said the exercise has started in designated centres in all the districts.
Justice Chulu said the commission has provided for any person who will turn 18 years before or on July 31st 2016 to register as a voter.

He said this is meant to encourage many eligible people to register. He added that the exercise is scheduled to go on until November 11, this year.

Justice Chulu officers will spend 14 days at all the centres that have opened today.
He said the officers will move to the next set of centres for another 14 days until all registration centres are covered.

Justice Chulu said voter registration will also be carried out at all district council offices from September 14, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

He said the commission has since asked for a waiver of the fees for a police report.
Justice Chulu said the commission will also transfer voters from one polling station to another on request.

Thousands attend Triple V launch graced by Macky 2 in Chipata

By Brenda Zulu

Thousands attended a Triple V campaign launch graced by Macky2 's electric performance and voter registration education in Chipata.

More than Five thousands youths and young women attended the Triple V Campaign launch where Macky2 took the crowd by storm as he preformed and educated them on voter registration.

Mark Mulaza Kaira popularly known as Macky2 graced the launch of the Triple V campaign at Chipata Gold Club on September 5, 2015.

Macky2 encouraged the youths and young women to obtain National Registration Cards (NRC) and register in the 2016 elections. He said it was important for them to participate in elections and to exercise their right to vote.

Macky2 rocked the Triple V concert spiced with electoral education campaign messages which made the crowd to participate. He made youths realise that they had power to choose whoever they wanted for a leader.

"Never take everything for granted. Appreciate every opportunity that you have in life. We are here to educate you to on how to involve yourselves in the governance of the country. On 14 th September you should register to become voter. You should always remember that voting is your right and vote for whoever you want. Voting is a secret," said Macky2.

The youths who attended the launch learn't about the importance of registering as voters.

Sarafina Tembo a 29 years old young woman said it was important to vote and also to see what the one you vote for would do for the community.

Josephine Siwo, a 25 years old voter added that every young person who will be 18 years by 2016 obtain an NRC and a voters card.

Akim Nyatula a 30 years old youth said from the launch he learnt the importance of voting , registering and participating in the governance of the country.
"Am happy that this sensitization has kicked off early. Hopefully there will be no voter apathy in next years election," said Nyatula.

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) spearheading the Triple V (My Vote, My Voice, My Victory) Campaign aimed at building a critical mass of voters amongst young people on September 5, 2015 officially launched the campaign with a concert that was held Chipata.

The Triple V Campaign which is being funded by OSISA and HIVOS was initiated in July 2015 by four organizations working in governance and election issues namely Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), Operation Young Vote (OYV) and Young Women in Action (YWA).

The project aims at addressing voter apathy amongst young people in Zambia by encouraging them to register as voters, verify their details in the voter register and finally go out and vote during the 2016 elections.

Triple V Campaign Spokesperson and Zambia National Women’s Lobby Executive Director Juliet Kaira Chibuta says the growth of Zambia’s democracy is dependent on the young people who form the larger segment of the population. Ms. Chibuta says it is imperative that all the youths that have attained the voting age be captured in the registration exercise to enable them participate in the 2016 elections.

 She says the Coalition decided to launch the project in Eastern Province as it is one of the provinces that recorded the lowest voter turnout during the January 20, 2015 Presidential elections.

Ms. Chibuta says young men and women are important stakeholders in the electoral process of the country and initiatives aimed at encouraging them to participate in elections should be supported.

Triple V Campaign Launch on at Chipata Golf Club

By Brenda Zulu

The launch of the Triple V Campaign whose theme is My Vote, My Voice and My Victory under the Go Out To Vote  project a coalition of  National Women Lobby Group (NWLG), Operation Young Vote (OYV), Young Women in Action (YWA) and Antie- Voter Apathy  has brought excitement to Chipata residents.

The residents acknowledged the fact that young women and youths need to be encouraged to vote because there were very low numbers of voters who turned out to vote in the 2015 Presidential elections.

‘I did not vote in the 2015 Presidential elections because the Electoral Commission of Zambia did not give us an opportunity to change our voting polling station since I am a registered voter on the Copperbelt,’ says Chanda Chileshe a young woman based in Chipata.

Chipata was chosen as a district were the Triple V Campaign launch would take place because it had low voter turn out said Guess Nyirenda who OYV Director and Chairperson of the Triple V campaign.

The Triple V Campaign is targeting young women and men who are the majority of the Zambian population said Constance Bwalya, Director YWA.

The project was derived from the fact that there was voter apathy of which the voter turnout from the 2015 elections was at 32% from the total number of registered voters said Richwell Mulwani AVAP Director.

The project is being supported by OSISA and HIVOS said Juliet Chibuta Director NWLG.  

The launch will

include a concert that will be run by Macky2 and his crew today at Chipata Golf.