The Electoral Commission of Zambia says the onus of having a credible and peaceful election lies on all political stakeholders.
ECZ Director Priscilla Isaac says the success of any election depends on political players and not the commission alone.
Ms. Isaac was speaking during the official opening of the ‘Elections Indaba’ at Olympic Youth Development Center-OYDC in Lusaka on Tuesday.
The two day indaba under the theme ‘ Say NO to Electoral Violence’ has brought together provincial youth coordinators from different parts of the country.
And Youth, Sport and Child Development Permanent Secretary Teddy Mulonga has called on youths to uphold their resolve not to ‘be used as tools of violence.
Earlier, a youth representative Bertha Kalongelwa said youths want to make the campaign for a free and peaceful election, a reality.
And Infotainment Movement Executive Director Mutauka Yeta says the future of Zambia is in the hands of young people and therefore they must resist being manipulated by politicians.
Meanwhile, More civil society Organisations have condemned Patriotic Front -PF- Secretary General Wynter Kabimba for urging party members to fight back when they are attacked.
The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes -SACCORD- has described Mr Kabimba’s directive as irresponsible.
SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma says politicians should ensure they follow the right channels provided for under the constitution when they feel provoked.
And Foundation for Democratic Process -FODEP- Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says politicians should preach the message of peace even when they are under immense provocation.
And AVAP President Bonnie Tembo says people must report to the police if they feel aggrieved.
Meanwhile, Committee of Citizens Executive Director Gregory Chifire has lodged a formal complaint with the Zambia Police over Mr Kabimba’s statement.
Mr Chifire says Mr Kabimba made utterances and threats of Violence on Sunday 21st August 2011 at a public meeting in Lusaka.
He wants Police to institute investigations into the matter to avoid civil unrest in the country.
And the Zambia Episcopal Conference is disappointed that some political parties are glorifying violence and inciting people to hate each other.
ZEC Secretary General Father Cleophas Lungu says the church has observed with sadness messages of hate coming out of some political campaign rallies.
He told ZNBC News that the three church mother bodies have since called a meeting for all political parties before the end of this month to dialogue and iron out all electoral issues surrounding the September 20 elections.
Father Lungu says the church wants to meet with political parties to promote and uphold Zambia’s democracy.
He says the meeting with political parties will be held in the spirit of love.
Father Lungu was reacting to the directive by Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba to his party members to hit back hard when they are provoked by their opponents.
Mr Kabimba issued the directive at a rally in Lusaka on Sunday which was characterised by machete wielding cadres who patrolled Independence Avenue near the freedom statue, the venue of the rally.
Other cadres where armed with catapults
ZNBC
You are right mum, but you should also clear the air on UPG kaili!
PF…………………… RIP
Reminds me of Chawama machete gangs lead by Sata some time back. It appears history is about to repeat itself of Satamaia machete gangs. When people say Sata cannot change others doubt now you have seen it for yourself. Sata old habbits die hard  coming back and out in the open.
I bet Priscilla in the picture is laughing at what Guy Scott just said this morning
ATI PRICILLA ISAACKS, SHE LOOKS LIKE A MAN MWEBANTU
It is also the responsibility of ECZ to behave responsibly when serious issues like UPG are raised. The Zambian people are now questioning your loyalty. is it to the nation or MMD? ECZ, your rhetoric is not matched by action
Chiwamila galu……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Hear you condemning Banda, he will use juju on you.
indeed we all have an important role to play in this years elections,,,lets vote out pf=poor finishers
MMD CHIFIRE WENT FAST TO THE POLICE FOR WINTER WHO WAS CAUTIONING THE PF MEMEBERS AND SUPPORTERS TO AVOID DEATH BY DEFENDING THEMSELVES! CHIFI, THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST DEFENDING ONESELF AND THAT WE WILL, AGAINST GANG RAPE, 14 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND JUJU BY WILLIAM BANDA. SO TALK ALL YOU CAN, BUT THIS TIME WATCH YOURSELVES, NO INTIMIDATION! VIVA PF, PABWATOOOOO!
KABIMBA has killed PF-UPND PACT, now he is killing PF with his over zealousness, also FORMER MMD REBELS that have invaded PF have nothing to loose if PF dies. Mr. SATA watch carefully the activities of these REBELS you engaged in your party. They want to reap where they did not saw.Â
Maybe it is true that Kabimba is actually a homosexual and is sick as well…that kama-thing is beginning to eat his brain up. Otherwise ninshi kulanyafye ifisushi konse aleya. Kwisulafye kanwa chisushi chilefuma mukanwa – kumo na Guy Scott no Given Lubinda. Ba PF kapangeni fye chalo chenu, fumeni mu-Zambia. Mumoneka abafulwa lyonsefye. Don’t start a war you can’t finish, you will be the first to die!!
you are a fool, why such language
MMD CHIFIRE WENT FAST TO THE POLICE FOR WINTER WHO WAS CAUTIONING THE PF MEMEBERS AND SUPPORTERS TO AVOID DEATH BY DEFENDING THEMSELVES! CHIFI, THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST DEFENDING ONESELF AND THAT WE WILL, AGAINST GANG RAPE, 14 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND JUJU BY WILLIAM BANDA. SO TALK ALL YOU CAN, BUT THIS TIME WATCH YOURSELVES, NO INTIMIDATION! VIVA PF, PABWATOOOOO!
Reply
The Police need to keep an eye on Sata, Kabimba, Kambwili, Guy Scott, Mulongoti & GBM during the announcements of Election results. If these trouble makers make any remarks to encourage violence after they loose the elections, they should be locked up (the Key should be thrown away too). Fred Mmembe should not even be locked up… He should be shot in the head.
RB IS WINNING THIS YEARS ELECTION. NOMBA NISHI.
Guy Scott (the son of a colonial settler) and Winter (funny name) want violence. They should be advised that they should be in the fore front when this occurs so that they directly face the bullets and pangas. they should not send the lumpens who they call their supporters to loot and die for them…
agony z having an ugly incompetent corrupt(upg deal has made me filthy rich yep!)its nice bn ECZ director thanks 2 felo ugly bweza
awe kwena mayo u are very right..the problem is tha the opposition is too lazy and they just want to blame Gvt…
WHICH CREDIBILITY WHEN U HAVE ENGAGED A CORRUPT PRINTER
The problem in this country is the fact that the police is inclined towards the ruling party MMD. There are many incidences when police has literally failed to treat all polical groups with fairly. So before you condemn mr Guy Scot or Wynter Kabimba on “hitting back” or self defence, plse try to show exemplary reasonableness.
They have destroyed their own credibility by engaging this printer. They are under investigation in Kenya and Malawi over rigging!
Wrong for PF to behave that way.
Violence seems to excite PF too much.
We condemn that kind of behaviour.
when pf was being attacked and injured, where was all these non governmental organisations and the police? when pf talks of defending itself, they are all quick to attack them. what is this? sure if pf will be the first to attack the mmd, then they should sure of no vote from masses but if mmd start the violence against pf, then masses will help pf to defend themselves. all those who are condemning  pf should focus their energy to stop mmd from attacking pf. then we can be sure of a very peaceful election. the problem is not with the pf but the mmd.
If William Banda says that, it’s ok.
its only PF that is aggrieved..coz they have already lost…your bishop Duffy has died..fellow gay..
KUNTA KINTE,
Ba kolwe ba KUNTA KINTE think before you squash your balls on the key board,MMD has been very violent you want other parties to watch?ba chikala you should be ashamed of your st.upid monkey brain,the flag which appears on your useless post is of Britain,but surprisingly your levels of comprehension of the language are useless,what does defending yourself mean??Anyway i understand you are the people who were just appointed by RB ie no education whatsoever ,thats why you back like a dog.IMBWA IWE.
Ba Priscilla Isaacs- a disgrace to the women. How can u sink so low and fail to be objective and professional in your job! SHAME ON YOU MADAM.!!!!!!!1