By Chinoyi Chipulu
The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes -SACCORD has condemned acts of political violence which characterised the local government by-elections in Chirundu and Sikongo districts, saying political violence must not be entertained because it was a primitive way of doing politics.
And SACCORD has urged the government to publicly condemn any form of violence and instruct their supporters to abide by the electoral code of conduct.
In an interview with Daily Revelation, acting executive director Auther Muyunda said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) should also make sure it enforced tight security measures to maintain order in polling stations.
“It is so unfortunate because we had seen that recently there has been reduced instances of political violence. It calls for ECZ to put in place security measures whenever they are conducting by-elections,” he said.
Muyunda said political players should acknowledge that an election was not a battlefield but a platform to compete ideas.
“This calls for both opposition and ruling political parties to acknowledge the fact that elections are not about fighting but they are about competing with ideas, not blows. Political violence are worrying because that is not the democracy we expect to see,” he said.
Muyunda has since urged all political parties to co-exist by remaining tolerant through exercising compassion and offering the right solidarity in rejecting all forms of violence.
“This rests on government to try and arrest political violence, unless if they are also involved and in support of this vice. As SACCORD, our call is to all political players to exercise tolerance and resilience and accept whatever comes in campaigns,” he said.
The ECZ has confirmed that it recorded two serious incidents involving suspected political cadres disrupting the electoral process at two polling stations during the ward by-elections held on Friday.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro stated at Machavika Polling Station, suspected political cadres used pepper spray at the election officials at the Polling Station thereby disrupting the result announcement process.
He said cadres went away with two envelopes containing marked ballot papers, fortunately, the Presiding Officer had the completed results compilation forms which were later used to complete the process.
At Chilindi Primary School Polling Station which was also the totaling centre, suspected political cadres disrupted the compilation of poll results by going away with a Record of Proceedings at the Count.
“Fortunately, the Commission had a copy of the form,” Kasaro said.
He said in Sikongo District, at Liumena Polling Station, some party officials and cadres stormed the Polling Station without accreditation.
“The officials and cadres insulted, intimidated and harassed not only election officials but also police officers on duty,” he stated.
Kasoro stated that the Commission strongly condemned these acts of violence, meant to disrupt the process by cadres and officials.
“These incidences are unacceptable as they strike at the core of the management of the electoral process and undermine the integrity of elections, and they are also in breach of Sections 87, 89 and 94 of the Electoral Process Act 35 of 2016. The Commission wishes to assure stakeholders that it is fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process,” he stated.
Kasaro stated that the commission took these incidences seriously and would summon all the parties that took part in the by-elections in the two wards.
