Campaigns have been peaceful – Three CSOs

Three Civil Society Organizations are pleased to note that the general political environment during the campaigns has been fairly peaceful, though with some incidents of violent clashes.

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Zambia National Women’s Lobby and Chikondi Foundation have noted that the campaigning by contending political parties have been relatively more issue-based and disciplined compared to past elections.

The CSOs have also noted that since the last tripartite elections held in September 2011, no significant efforts towards strengthening the electoral legal and institutional frameworks have been undertaken.

The CSOs have also noted with satisfaction that although the duration was very short, the ECZ allocated some time for the electorate who had lost their voters’ cards an opportunity to have them replaced so that they could take part in voting.

According to a statement made available to QFM News, the CSOs have said despite the unprecedented high level of competitive electoral contest, political parties generally showed maturity and showed commitment to conduct clean campaigns.

The statement furthermore states that the Zambia Police Service endeavored to professionally administer the Public Order Act as no Political party complained of being denied any permit to convene campaign rallies or to assemble or having their assembly disrupted.

However, the CSOs have noted some allegations of some tendency of partial action by the Police whereby in some cases of violence involving ruling party cadres, the Police tended to act very slowly whereas in instances involving opposition party supporters, they acted very swiftly in apprehending the perpetrators.

The CSOs have noted a relative improvement in the conduct of the police towards opposition political parties, and that the administration of the Public Order Act for holding political rallies was well managed.

The statement states that use of Defamatory statements such as “Kabotolo or Vodka” in reference to PF President Edgar Lungu and “Satanist or Freemason” for UPND presidential candidates respectively became a source of concern.

The CSOs have said this was all in total disregard of the provisions of regulation 21 of the electoral Code of Conduct No. 52 of 2011, which forbids the use of defamatory language during campaigns.