NEXT month the electorate will have by-elections in five constituencies, and it is just prudent that the Zambia Police deploys adequate officers to prevent a recurrence of violence that has characterised past by-elections.
The recently held by-election in Mangango where the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) emerged victorious had a share of its violence with political party members clashing during the campaigns.
Ahead of the forthcoming voting, Central Province Police Commissioner, Standwell Lungu has announced that more than 300 police officers will be deployed in Mkushi South Constituency to ensure law and order prevails.
Law and order during such an event is a necessary prerequisite to guarantee peaceful voting as well as fair election results that could not be disputed.
It is standard practice that police presence is not only felt during an election but should be seen to be effective in preventing unnecessary violence from erupting.
The deployment of police officers needs to occur in other places where by-elections are scheduled to take place, namely, Vubwi, Kasenengwa, Zambezi West and Solwezi Central constituencies.
To obtain legitimate leaders through the participation of citizens in a voting process gives those elected a clear mandate, in a genuine democracy. For these elections to be acceptable, they must be seen to be free and fair.
One of the critical variables for the success or failure of democracy or democratic transition of power is the administration of elections.
The police, with its role of maintaining law and order is, therefore, a central pillar in determining the freeness and fairness of elections and, consequently, the acceptance of results. This is could only be so when the security wing itself is seen to be impartial in the electoral process.
There is, however, a situation where electoral offences may not be criminal but implementing the penalties prescribed by the law requires police action and the commencement of the prosecution process.
Very often, offenders are not prosecuted, especially after the election has been concluded. This leads to people to speculate that electoral malpractices are not serious offences or that they are not taken seriously.
Nomination of candidates and campaigns definitely create tension and a
challenge to law enforcement agencies.
This is especially true for any by-election that sees joint campaigns for all candidates at the same location and at the same time, meaning rival supporters will definitely meet with a possibility of clashing.
These activities together create a stage for breach of peace prior to voting and on polling day as well as disputed election results that may lead to a further breach of peace.
Consequently, the Police Service, in its quest for keeping law and order, ought to keep a keen eye on such happenings and prevent them as and when they arise.
Elections play a central and pivotal role in democratic governance.
The police, being one security wing mandated by law as the lead-law-enforcement agency in the electoral process, should be sturdy and impartial to give the process integrity.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), another key overseer of elections, should be proactive in ensuring that peace prevails during elections.
Their input in this process is cardinal to win the credibility of the election result and it remains a vital duty for the electoral body to coordinate stakeholders to heed the electoral code of conduct.
As party members and their respective political leaders embark on another campaign trail, they need to be reminded time and again on the importance of adhering to electoral regulations.
To prevent violence during the campaigns and voting, party members should be engaged in a vigorous campaign on the need to avoid engaging in acts of violence.
In an event that scenes of violence erupt, the police should ensure that citizens taking part in elections need to be reminded that in any society laws apply and do this in an impartial manner.
This helps preserve the richness of Zambia’s peaceful record and uphold the principles of democracy.  OPINION