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Voters, Candidates, Political Parties and CSO'S

Voters, Candidates, Political Parties and CSOs are always the most important participants in the electoral process. With regard to the resolution of electoral disputes, a critical issue for these groups is that of locus standi, or who has the ability to bring an action to court. Every voter, candidate, political party and other interested parties such as CSOs has the right to seek redress when they feel that their electoral rights have been violated. However, the challenge has been and continue to be that these parties do not know and do not have access to EDR mechanisms in place in Zambia.  They have demonstrated lack of capacity in accessing the EDR mechanisms of the country. However, if rights are violated or their status in question, then the state is obligated to investigate and, if a violation determined, provide a remedy. This remedy may include the right to a fair and public hearing. The project will interact with the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Judiciary and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms set up to resolve disputes at national and local level such as Conflict Management Committees and Political Parties Liaison Committees. The key stakeholders, Voters, Candidates, Political Parties and CSOs, in most cases, it would be necessary for them to have recourse to an EDR mechanisms at least at one point during the elections in the event of a dispute. The general obligations related to the right to an effective remedy, and the right to a fair and public hearing (among others) provide a strong basis from which to work with these stakeholders for the realisation of electoral justice.

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