Voters with painted nails risk disenfranchisement as election Zambia underway
Zambia election underway, voters with painted nails risk disenfranchisement
The list of instructions for voters in Zambia’s general election includes a ban on women having painted nails.
BBC correspondent in Lusaka, Nomsa Maseko, has tweeted a list of Do’s and Don’ts that includes the words: “No painted nails (for ladies).”
As a voter’s thumb is marked with a special ink once they have cast the ballots it’s thought that acetone, which removes nail polish, could also get rid of the ink, Nomsa says.
She’s seen long queues forming since the early hours at polling stations in the capital, Lusaka. Those waiting to vote include a lot of young people who told her what they’re hoping for:
I’m hoping my vote will bring change to the country. It is so hard being a young person and starting out.”
I feel good especially seeing young people turning up – I don’t think this has happened for a very long time so I thing everyone can feel the need to do the right thing.
I hope the vote will get me a job. I have two degrees and getting a third now and I think if we continue in this direction I don’t think I will have a job… I also want a good health system.”