IG okays by-election campaigns

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 10:33:52 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA 

POLICE Inspector-General Kakoma Kanganja has directed Police Commissioners in provinces with impending by-elections to allow political parties to conduct their preparatory meetings and campaign freely, but in line with the provisions of the Public Order Act (POA) and other pieces of legislation.

Mr Kanganja has advised commissioners to inform regulating officers and all other officers under their command not to use the provisions of the Preservation of Public Security Act number 112 to impede the forthcoming by-elections.

He said, political parties should also ensure that they conduct their activities peacefully and abide by the provision of the Public Order Act which requires them to notify the police on their intended activities as this would enable police officers to plan effectively and put in place necessary security measures.

Mr Kanganja urged political party leaders in respective areas to avail their planned activities to

relevant regulating officers to enable them plan in advance.

“I wish to bring to the attention of all political party leaders at various levels that it is their responsibility to monitor and regulate the conduct of their members so that such activities can be conducted in a peaceful and violent free environment.

I am sending a strong warning to all those that would want to deliberately ignore the provisions of the law that we shall not tolerate any lawlessness but arrest and prosecute all those found wanting.  The the public need to be reminded that security, peace and stability of the nation is a collective responsibility of all citizens of this great nation,” said Mr Kanganja