By CHILA NAMAIKO –
VARIOUS political parties have observed that, despite the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) making positive strides in preparing to hold the August 11 general elections, there is need for increased dialogue to curb political violence during campaigns.
Lusaka Province Patriotic Front (PF) chairperson Kennedy Kamba hailed the ECZ for its continued efforts in preparing for the elections.
“As PF, we haven’t noted any problems from ECZ so far, I think the Commission is on the right track and should be commended for continuing to dialogue with various stakeholders including political parties,” he said.
Mr Kamba urged political parties and other stakeholders to support the mandate of the Commission, citing the many elections it had handled in the past.
He, however, called on youths to desist from being used as tools of political violence, citing an incident in Southern Province in which suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) members, on Saturday ambushed and held hostage some Government officials and damaged public vehicles in Bweengwa Constituency.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma called on the electoral body to continue engaging in dialogue with various stakeholders to ensure electoral matters such as the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct were not only observed, but also enforced.
“The Commission is doing its best, but we need to dialogue regularly with other stakeholders to resolve some outstanding electoral matters as the country goes to the polls,” he said.
Mr Kakoma said there was need for the ECZ and political parties to harmonise significant matters, such as the electronic transfer of votes during voting day.
Southern Province United National Independence Party (UNIP) chairperson Robert Mukengami called on the ECZ to put stringent measures to curb political violence during campaigns.
He said that political violence had become a big problem in the recent past years, and was putting a dent on Zambia’s positive reputation as a peaceful nation.