Aspiring candidates at different levels from various political parties gathered at Saint John’s Secondary School in Mongu District, to obtain nomination requirements ahead of the forthcoming August general elections.
Speaking during the briefing, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Information and Communication Technology Director, Collins Kachaka, said peaceful elections are key to strengthening the country’s democracy and promoting national unity.
Dr Kachaka said despite candidates belonging to different political parties, they remain one people with a shared responsibility of safeguarding peace before, during and after the elections.
He urged political players and their supporters to conduct campaigns in a mature and responsible manner by avoiding violence, hate speech and any form of provocation that has the potential to disrupt the electoral process.
Dr Kachaka further called on aspiring candidates to familiarize themselves with the electoral guidelines and nomination procedures in order to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
He stated that ECZ remains committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections that will reflect the will of the people.
And Western Province Electoral Officer, Nickson Nkwapu, said Zambia has continued to stand out as a beacon of peace and democracy in the Sub-Saharan African region due to the country’s long history of peaceful political transitions.
Mr Nkwapu stressed the importance of preserving the country’s peace by ensuring that political competition is conducted within the confines of the law and mutual respect.
He said elections should unite citizens and provide an opportunity for people to democratically choose leaders capable of contributing to national development.
Mr Nkwapu further encouraged aspiring candidates to promote issue-based campaigns focused on improving the welfare of communities instead of engaging in personal attacks and inflammatory political statements.
He also appealed to youths across the province to avoid political violence and become ambassadors of peace during the election period.
Meanwhile, Citizens First Party Mulambwa Ward aspiring Councilor, Idah Lubasi, has commended the ECZ for conducting the election information briefing, describing it as an important platform that has helped aspiring candidates understand the electoral process.
Ms. Lubasi said the sensitisation programme will enable candidates from different political parties to comply with electoral regulations and uphold the laws governing elections in the country.
She further noted that the briefing has created awareness among aspiring candidates on the importance of conducting peaceful campaigns and respecting democratic principles ahead of the polls.
Ms. Lubasi has since appealed to fellow political players and their supporters to prioritise peace, tolerance and unity in order to ensure credible and violence-free elections.
