Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) lifts political party campaign ban

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has lifted the 10 day suspension of political party campaigns that was invoked on July 9, 2016.

In a statement released to Mwebantu Media, the Commission public relations manager Chrispin Akufuna has since called for peaceful campaigns and violent free campaigns in the remainder of the campaign period.

“The Commission has since developed the Addendum to the Peace Pledge which will be circulated to the participating political parties for their perusal and comments.

“The Commission is glad that the United Progressive People is here this afternoon to state their commitment to peaceful campaigns,” Mr Akufuna said.

He said in response to the increasing political violence arising out of the political campaigns the Commission, with the support of UNDP, is partnering with the Dag Hammarskjold Institute for Peace to organise a series of conflict prevention/management workshops for political party leadership at the provincial and district level.

Mr Akufuna said the objective of the workshops is to engage the political parties on their role in conflict management and conflict prevention within and between political parties.

He said the dialogues will focus on the five conflict-prone provinces that have, or are likely to experience, one form or another of political conflicts/violence.

The provinces are Lusaka, Western, Southern, Copperbelt and Central Provinces.