The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it is concerned with the continued violation of the electoral code of conduct by some political parties during campaigns.
ECZ Commissioner Joseph Jalasi said it is important for candidates and election agents to understand the provisions of the code as it is now law adding that any violation of this piece of legislature defeats the purpose for which it was made.
Mr Jalasi said during campaigns some political parties conveniently forget the existence of the code of conduct and behave as if they are a law themselves, adding that this kind of behavior does not help at all.
He has since challenged all candidates and political party members to familiarize themselves with the electoral code of conduct in order for them to carry out their campaigns in a very peaceful manner.
Mr Jalasi was speaking during a post-nomination briefing for candidates, monitors, observers and the media for the forth coming parliamentary by election held in the IFAD hall in Solwezi yesterday.
Commissioner Jalasi said there is need to lift political campaigns to a higher level where name calling and politics of personalities will be a thing of the past.
He said candidates should base their campaigns on real issues that face the electorate in their day to day lives rather than castigating each other.
The Commissioner advised all political players to resolve conflicts through established channels and not resort to violence as this violates the code of conduct.
Mr Jalasi said the commission is hopeful that all stakeholders will play their respective roles in the forth coming by election in order for it to be conducted in a credible manner.
Speaking at the same briefing ECZ Public relations manager Cris Akufuna advised the media not be used as campaign tools by political parties but execute their duties professionally and in accordance to their roles provided for in the electoral code of conduct.
Mr Akufuna said the media should exercise professionalism in their duty and provide balanced and fair coverage to all political players.Violence rocked Solwezi , yesterday, between the ruling MMD cadres and UPND /PF cadres who gathered Kyawama Market fro a rally after filing nominations papers in the Soplwezi Central parliamentary by-elections scheduled for November 19, 2009, left vacant following the death of Local government and Housing minister Ben Tetamashimba.
The ruling MMD is fielding Albert Chifita, while UPND/PF pact are fielding Laston Lumba, Forum for Democratic Alternative are fielding Muhammed Kalela.
ZANIS
What is saddening is the level of violence that has from nowehre become a normal thing in Zambian politics. Its like there is no party shaming any other party into conducting itself in well matured manner. It doesnt help much that at the end of the day, the poor cadres being used to hurt each other like this, will probably not benefit athing once some of these people are put in power. Let us as bloggers, abash violence, and send a message, of political unity. So as to avoid, the current sitaution prevailing in some of our neighbouring countries. One Zambia! One Nation!
Abash MMD….VIVA Pact……VIVA HH!!
I am shocked and annoyed litsening to Jalasi… How can the Special Legal Adviser to the President (RB) also be Electoral Commission of Zambia Commissioner??? where on earth have you a situation of this sort when the Electrol Commission chief must be non-partisan and Independent??? Rupiah what are you doing to this country??? Does someone know about this appointment?? maybe he’s been moved from state house I dont know.. But this is very very very very very serious.. and Im now more determined than ever to ensure we Defeat MMD every where violentlty or not. This is like Afganistan or Zimbabwe with acusations of non independent Electoral Commission!!!!!!
#3 DiGGA. The man at State house is a son. The politics of thuggery are long gone. The blames squarely falls on the hands of MMD & PF-UPND. Why do they import thugs in the name of cadres from Lusaka & Copperbelt to rural areas each time there is a by election? Even the conduct of the police was below par. These cops act on unknown instructions and for fear of the unknown. This is all coz the politicians have hijacked all public institutions and these guys dance to their tunes. Mr. Katiba has overstayed in Solwezi and has become useless and should be transferred either to HQ or another province. The police are there to offer protection to every Jim & Jack. There is likely to be more violence in olwezi than in Kasama due to the influence of cadres from Copperbelt. Pipo need solutions
The MMD are trying to do what they did not do in Kasama. The iron for there being pressed is hot enough. The MMD understands punches , so they shall get them. These guys have become so hooked to power that any threat to this is met with deadly force. They shall spend , they shall beg for the vote , they shall threaten violence if this does not seem to work . They shall do any thing to keep this power. This time around there is a threat. ( PF/UPND pact). They know it. The loss of Kasama has told them so. The best that the opposition can do is do the same if it can be done. beat up as many MMD thugs as can be done. Buy as many voters as can be done, Bribe as many electral officers / agents as can be done. This is the only way the Thugs in MMD can be beaten clean.
THE GUY AT PLOT ONE MUST BE REALLY OUT OF HIS MIND. tHESE THINGS HE HIMSELF IS FAILING TO CONTROL BECAUSE OF LACK OF FORSIGHT IS BAD FOR MMD. HE CANT SEE THAT THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM ARE SO MUCH INSECURE AND BENT TO DO EVERYTHING TO HAVE BREAD AND BATTER ON THE TABLE. HE HIMSELF WILL LOOSE POPULARITY AND RESPECT PEOPLE HAVE FOR HIM. I DONT THINK PEOPLE JUST HATE THE PRESDO, BUT HE ALWAYS MANAGES TO PUT HIMSELF ON THE WRONG SIDE. HEY I DONT KNOW, MAY HE IS MADE THAT WAY…
I just don’t like the term “some” Why not mention them? ECZ knows these political parties but are afraid to mention them because RB is one of them.
The Solwezi thugs are MMD. Each political Party was allocated a gathering place by the police. MMD was allocated the Show ground and UPND/PF was allocated Kyawama. Now why did the MMD-thieves go to gather at Kyawama the place which was allocated to UPND/PF? This is a question to answer by the MMD-thieves and the useless Police. Instead of tear gasing the MMD-thugs who went to disturb the UPND/PF the police were tear gasing the innocent people. Zambians, wake up, this is how Mugabe started. RB is doing it slowly and it will be fully fredged. Let us put an end to RB’s madness before many lives are lost. Let the MMD-thieves just go in peace in the manner KK and his UNIP went. I give respect to KK coz he reliquished power with honor and respect. This is what MMD should do. PEOPLE WANT CHNGE.
It is strange to note that Joseph Jalasi is President Rupiah Banda’s legal advisor as well as being an ECZ Commissioner, which defeats the impartiality in the electral commission.
How have oppossition political parties allowed such a situation to continue unabated?
Jalasi has to declare interest and relinquish one of his positions though at the expense of losing an income. This man is a learned lawyer and should understand that he is compromised to be an effective and impartial Electral Commissioner.
Can the PF/UPND PACT look into this issue as a matter of urgency.
Ok #4 The Observer, your clarification is noted but this means that the family is compromised as the father would work hard to see the son benefitting from his legal advisory role at state house.
The ECZ should not bemoan those violations but act according to law. Just because its MMD involved they bemoan. let them punish those involved. VIVA UPND/PF Pact
Ola#10
You cant be far from the truth…its logic! They really think we are fools…or are we??????