Electoral stakeholders warned on possible violence in 2016

Stakeholders in the country’s electoral system have been warned against taking lightly fears that the 2016 general election might be the most violent.

The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has observed such fears by people in the country calls for more investment in conflict prevention mechanisms.

SACCORD Board Chairperson Christine Munalula says her organization believes that time is now ripe for electoral stakeholders to investment in conflict prevention if violence is to be prevented prior and after next year’s general election.

Ms. Munalula says SACCORD therefore is seeking to promote co-existence between supporters from the ruling party and those from opposition political parties.

She says SACCORD intends to do this through joint peace initiatives, training in conflict resolution and through promotion of adherence to laws governing elections.

Ms. Munalula was speaking this morning in Lusaka in a speech read for her by SACCORD board member Humphrey Elekani during the opening of a two days political parties youth capacity building workshop organized by SACCORD in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID).

Speaking at the same workshop, FES Resident Director Hermut Elischer stressed the importance for Zambia to move away from practices of electoral violence as the 2016 general elections draw near.

Mr. Elischer says this is in order to afford equal opportunities to all voters and citizens in the country to participate in the elections.

He notes that it is also important that an environment is created in the country to encourage more women and youths to get involved in elections as a way of increasing the legitimacy of elected leaders.

And Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) acting Director Brown Kasaro has reminded political parties to ensure their candidates, cadres and supporters abide by the electoral law.

Mr. Kasoro says it’s unacceptable that at this stage of Zambia’s democracy, the country should have blatant disregard of the electoral code of conduct.

Earlier, ZCID Executive Director Horrance Chilando expressed happiness that the agenda his organization, SACCORD and FES begun of building capacity among political parties is now trickling down to youths.