Released on August 18 by the co-delegation leaders, former president of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire, and Thomas Daschle, the former US Senate majority leader, the report said broad citizen participation, combined with responsible actions by all stakeholders would contribute to electoral integrity and build public confidence.
It said that while electoral preparations were moving forward, more concerted efforts were needed for credible and peaceful elections. It praised the efforts of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to open up the electoral process and encourage participation but noted that "irresponsible and inflammatory" rhetoric by political parties and candidates threatened the atmosphere. Among the positive aspects it noted included the vigorous contest between political parties and candidates, the â"significant measures" taken by the police to ensure impartiality and to improve the professional conduct of police officers in relation to the election. It also noted as a positive feature the significant interest in voting among the people.
