EUROPEAN Union Ambassador Jacek Jankowski says Zambia’s vibrant civil society has played a crucial role in protecting the people and strengthening democracy.

Speaking when he presented some donations that were used by the EU election observers during elections to selected charitable organisations worth five million Kwacha, Ambassador Jankowski said the European observers were impressed with the huge voter turnout on election day.

He added that the peaceful and orderly manner in which the election was conducted was another milestone achievement for Zambia.

“Zambia’s vibrant civil society has played a crucial role in protecting people and strengthening democracy. We clearly saw this in the recent elections. All EU observers were impressed by the huge turnout on elections day. We were also impressed by the peaceful and orderly manner in which elections took place and this is another milestone achievement for this Country,” Ambassador Jankowski said.

He said the EU would continue to work with the new government in order to further solidify the foundations in the EU-Zambia relations.

Ambassador Jankowski said the EU chief observer Maria Arena would soon present their recommendations on how to improve future elections in Zambia.

“Please be assured that the EU will continue to work with the new government and with all Zambians and add onto the solid foundations already achieved in EU-Zambian relations based on our shared values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Let me also state that now, the EU chief observer Maria Arena, is drafting a set of recommendations on how to improve future elections in Zambia. In few weeks, she will come back to Lusaka and present her recommendations to the government, to other electoral stakeholders and to the public at large,” said Ambassador Jankowski.

And Enlight Abilities co-founder Miyoba Hamuhuma thanked the EU for the donations, stating that the donations would help enhance their works.

“Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to the EU. They say each gesture comes at the right time, but I feel that this one has really come at the right time. This is because in every organisation, firstly, we take these as asserts and these will help us to enhance our works. Of course, looking at the people living with disabilities. It has been costly, for us to do some of the works because of lacking some equipment such as computers and printers. So, with this donation, we can only say thank you to the EU, they have made our work much easier,” said Hamuhuma.

Twelve charitable organisations which include among others; St. Luke’s Mission Hospital in Mpanshya, the Zambia Red Cross, Vision of Hope, Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia, have benefited from the EU donations.

And among the items donated are; Computers, smartphones, printers, face masks, first aid and laptops.