By STEPHEN MWEWA and JACKSON MAPAPAYI
UPND cadres have reportedly assaulted the Patriotic Front’s Nsama district chairperson, Stephen Musonda, twice, forcing the local traditional leadership to ask for police reinforcement in the area.
Senior Chief Nsama of the Tabwa speaking people of Nsama district has appealed to Northern Province police commissioner to send more officers to stop the violent conduct of opposition cadres as this has the potential to create voter apathy.
The traditional leader appealed to the police to dispatch more police officers in a bid to curb political violence in Nsumbu and Nsama areas of Northern province while the Electoral Commission of Zambia has banned the opposition UPND from conducting campaigns in Ikeleng’i district in North-western province because of violence.
And the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has with immediate effect banned the UPND from campaigning in Ikeleng’i district in North-western province.
Chief Nsama feared that if political violence continues in his chiefdom, it will instill fear in the electorate and this could lead to apathy on polling day.
Senior Chief Nsama was speaking in an interview.
The traditional leader said that UPND cadres have so far assaulted PF district chairperson Stephen Musonda twice.
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He added that the first incident occurred in Nsumbu area and that the second one was in Nsama district recently.
The traditional leader has thus called on all political party cadres to conduct their door-to-door campaign in a peaceful manner.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has with immediate effect banned the UPND from campaigning in Ikeleng’i district in North-western province.
This follows the violence last Friday at Ikeleng’I market where some PF members were attacked by rampaging UPND cadres, who also injured a ZANIS reporter. He also lost a camera and personal items including K1,000 cash.
In the ensuing fracas, 19 United Party for National Development (UPND) were arrested for the fracas and for damaging a police vehicle.
Acting Chief Electoral officer, Royd Katongo, said yesterday that the ban was pursuant to Article 229 sub-article 2 (e) of the constitution and subparagraphs 4 (I) (c) (d) and 11 (d) of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Mr Katongo stated that all manner of political campaigns had been suspended for respective political parties and candidates though subject to review.
“In this regard, the UPND and Mr Albert Amukena Mundia will not be allowed to conduct any form campaigns in the said district,” Mr Katongo said.
He said the Zambia police should not allow any political activities for the affected party.
He said the ECZ was still reviewing other cases reported in Chisamba, Lusaka, and Mumbwa and that appropriate action would be taken against any perpetrator for violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
“The commission further urges the media to provide fair, accurate and balanced reporting to all stakeholders in the electoral process and abide by the Electoral code of conduct in election reporting,” he added.
By STEPHEN MWEWA and JACKSON MAPAPAYI
UPND cadres have reportedly assaulted the Patriotic Front’s Nsama district chairperson, Stephen Musonda, twice, forcing the local traditional leadership to ask for police reinforcement in the area.
Senior Chief Nsama of the Tabwa speaking people of Nsama district has appealed to Northern Province police commissioner to send more officers to stop the violent conduct of opposition cadres as this has the potential to create voter apathy.
The traditional leader appealed to the police to dispatch more police officers in a bid to curb political violence in Nsumbu and Nsama areas of Northern province while the Electoral Commission of Zambia has banned the opposition UPND from conducting campaigns in Ikeleng’i district in North-western province because of violence.
And the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has with immediate effect banned the UPND from campaigning in Ikeleng’i district in North-western province.
Chief Nsama feared that if political violence continues in his chiefdom, it will instill fear in the electorate and this could lead to apathy on polling day.
Senior Chief Nsama was speaking in an interview.
The traditional leader said that UPND cadres have so far assaulted PF district chairperson Stephen Musonda twice.
From Page 1
He added that the first incident occurred in Nsumbu area and that the second one was in Nsama district recently.
The traditional leader has thus called on all political party cadres to conduct their door-to-door campaign in a peaceful manner.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has with immediate effect banned the UPND from campaigning in Ikeleng’i district in North-western province.
This follows the violence last Friday at Ikeleng’I market where some PF members were attacked by rampaging UPND cadres, who also injured a ZANIS reporter. He also lost a camera and personal items including K1,000 cash.
In the ensuing fracas, 19 United Party for National Development (UPND) were arrested for the fracas and for damaging a police vehicle.
Acting Chief Electoral officer, Royd Katongo, said yesterday that the ban was pursuant to Article 229 sub-article 2 (e) of the constitution and subparagraphs 4 (I) (c) (d) and 11 (d) of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Mr Katongo stated that all manner of political campaigns had been suspended for respective political parties and candidates though subject to review.
“In this regard, the UPND and Mr Albert Amukena Mundia will not be allowed to conduct any form campaigns in the said district,” Mr Katongo said.
He said the Zambia police should not allow any political activities for the affected party.
He said the ECZ was still reviewing other cases reported in Chisamba, Lusaka, and Mumbwa and that appropriate action would be taken against any perpetrator for violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
“The commission further urges the media to provide fair, accurate and balanced reporting to all stakeholders in the electoral process and abide by the Electoral code of conduct in election reporting,” he added.
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