ECZ Brokers Truce between PF and UPND
The Patriotic Front and UPND have made a pretence at peace and will hold a joint press conference today at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to denounce violence.
Both parties have proved the biggest stumbling block to peaceful elections with their supporters routinely clashing and blooding each other.
In the wake of the July 26 mayoral elections the two parties have felt the pressure to make peace and will be following up on their pronouncements with some measure of action.
FULL STATEMENT
COMMUNIQUÉ RELEASED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA ON THE EXPECTED CONDUCT OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) AND THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (UPND) FOR THE LUSAKA MAYORAL BY-ELECTION AND OTHER DISTRICT AND WARD BY-ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR
26 JULY 2018
19 July, 2018
A Communiqué and resolutions thereto were signed on 12 July 2018 in view of Stakeholder expectations for the 26 July 2018 Lusaka Mayoral By-Election and other District and Ward By-Elections. Amongst other resolutions signed, the resolution that comes to the fore is as follows, “That the Commission calls upon leaders of United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) Campaign Teams including youth and women group leaders to be called to the Commission to discuss the curbing of political violence.”
It is in this vein that the Commission has convened a meeting to openly discuss with the Campaign Managers, Chairpersons’ Women and Chairpersons’ Youth from Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) in terms of conduct of political parties during the by-elections of 26 July 2018.
The political parties present have unanimously resolved as follows:
- That the Chairpersons of the Youth, Women and Campaign Managers from UPND and PF shall hold a Joint Press Conference on Friday, 20th July 2018 to address the Nation. In this Joint Press Conference, that both parties have agreed to call a truce and disarm their militant members;
- That the Police should execute their work professionally without any political interference and arrest any person carrying offensive weapons and/or perpetrating violence;
- That both political parties should demilitarise their political regalia going forward and allow the electorates to move around and vote freely;
4.That an appeal be made to the media to report factually and professionally.
We further wish to reiterate that we remain firm in ensuring that we will not clash and/or disrupt campaigns of other political parties. Furthermore, we will allow the electorate to vote freely on 26 July 2018 without any threats of violence, force or intimidation.
Issued by
Margaret Chimanse
Public Relations Manager
For/Chief Electoral Officer
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