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The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has called on relevant law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate all reports of violence during the recent held Ward by-elections in the country.
CCMG Spokesperson ,Alex Muyebe, said the Police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and other relevant law enforcement agencies should investigate cases of intimidation and vote buying and arrest perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation.
Muyebe said while the electoral environment leading to the by-elections was generally calm and peaceful, CCMG noted with concern serious incidents of violence in Muchinda ward of Serenje district, which if left unchecked, may not only undermine the credibility of the by-elections but also have the potential to stir instability.
He has appealed to all political parties to restrain their supporters by taking practical steps in educating their members on the Electoral Code of Conduct and to expel any party members perpetrating violence.
Muyebe said parties should restrain their members from any violations of the Code, and party presidents and leadership should be quick to condemn any violent actions of their own supporters.
“Going forward, it is our expectation that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will take time to reflect on the many violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct by political parties without any sanctions thus far”, he said.
Muyebe said this is an opportunity for the Commission to call for electoral reforms both legislative and administrative in order to address many underlying challenges with electoral management.
He said ECZ should further take practical steps towards full implementation of the 2011 High Court Judgement of Sarah Brotherton vs ECZ in order to make elections more accessible to persons with disabilities.
“CCMG observed that in all polling stations, voters had to use steps to reach the polling station making it difficult for those using wheelchairs to independently access the polling station,” Muyebe said.
He has also commended the voters who exercised their democratic rights in the April 20 by-elections.
The ECZ held Ward by-elections on April 20, 2023 for Muchinda Ward in Serenje District of Central Province, Katilye Ward of Lupososhi District of Northern Province and Chitimukulu Ward in Chililabombwe in which the United Party for National Development scoop all of them.
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