JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is urging political parties to exercise tolerance as the country moves closer to the February 12 Parliamentary Sesheke by-elections.
The Sesheke by-election is being contested by the Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND), United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) and People’s Alliance for Change (PAC).
The Sesheke District Electoral Officer (DEO) Emmanuel Sikanyika expressed unfortunateness that some political parties are involved in electoral malpractices and steering political violence.
Yesterday, Sikanyika disclosed that as of January 23, 2019, the ECZ had received an official complaint from one of the political parties about violence.
“The first complaint was received on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from one of the political parties accusing the other of causing violence,” he said.
He highlighted that it was their wish as an institution that competing parties adhere to the electoral rules adding that violence and disruption of public order will not be condoned.
“Those engaged in violence must know that the law has a provision to sanction them for breaching the law.”
He added that all the four political parties taking part in the Sesheke parliamentary by-election must respect the law.
“We will be meeting the political parties to remind them of what is expected of them during and after the election.”
© Bur-JHB – M.C – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_en
