The Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP says the continued electoral violence being perpetuated by political parties ahead of tripartite elections does not inspire confidence in the electoral process.
FODEP executive director Macdonald Chipenzi says the situation is compounded by the extension of violence against innocent journalists stating that this is a blatant signal of lack of respect for freedom of the press by politicians.
Mr. Chipenzi says FODEP strongly condemns the continued political violence and harassment of media practitioners covering political activities in the country.
He has since appealed to the law enforcement agencies to pursue perpetrators of violence ahead of the elections.
He appealed to all political party leaders to instill discipline in their members.
Mr. Chipenzi explained that for the media to be able to play an effective role in ensuring free and fair elections, political parties should respect the rights of journalists to report election related events free from intimidation and fear of their lives.
He called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and its officials in districts and provinces to provide the media with complete, accurate and timely information about the election process to avoid speculations and suspicions.
The FODEP executive director has further advised the media to refrain from biased coverage and coverage which reinforces the existing prejudices against women and persons with disabilities.
On Saturday PF and MMD cadres clashed at Garden house motel during the PF provincial conference and harassed ZNBC journalists.
[ QFM ]
Ask Panji what is to come to Zambia. The president is busy defending the culprits in this electral violence. Now the question is what will the defenceless people do? Even a child when is constantly mobbed bite sometimes.
question: why did the chicken cross the road?
answers
FTJ: the companies on the other side of road were not yet privatized and the chicken wanted to take privatization there.
KK: the chicken was not supposed to cross the road. Crossing did not make any difference because the other side of the road is also in Zambia. One Zambia one Nation
Levy Mwanawasa: It does not matter which side of the road the chicken goes to, the Law will still catch up with the chicken.
Kalusha Bwalya: The chicken’s committee is illegal. Fifa and the government have endorsed my side of the road.
Rupiah Banda: due to good government policies the chicken will have more roads now to cross. It will get tired of crossing roads and the abundant food due to bumper harvest.
Sata: The chicken is…
Ron has stopped defending the government all of a sudden, is it a confirmation of what Panji predicted?