Tonse Alliance Raises Concerns Over Campaign Fairness

The Tonse Alliance says it wants a level playing field. What it says it is experiencing, however, is something different.

The opposition alliance has raised concerns about whether all parties are genuinely competing on equal footing ahead of the August 13 general election. Alliance leaders say the integrity of an election is shaped not only by what happens on voting day, but also by the conditions under which political parties campaign, mobilise supporters and engage with citizens.

The concerns are not abstract. Among the issues highlighted by the alliance are access to public venues, movement of political leaders, interactions with law enforcement agencies and the broader environment in which opposition candidates are campaigning. Alliance officials say these are not minor administrative matters. They affect whether political competition is conducted fairly and openly.

Tonse Alliance officials have framed their concerns in principled rather than partisan terms. Fairness, they say, is not intended to benefit one political party at the expense of another. It is a democratic requirement that protects all participants regardless of political affiliation. When applied consistently, they say, the principle benefits both political competitors and voters.

The alliance has also focused attention on the role of institutions. According to alliance leaders, public confidence in elections depends on citizens believing that institutions responsible for maintaining order and overseeing aspects of the electoral process perform their duties impartially. They say perceptions of uneven enforcement or political bias can weaken confidence in the electoral system.

There is also a practical dimension to the issue. Alliance officials say that when candidates encounter obstacles in reaching voters, attention can shift away from matters such as employment, economic growth, service delivery and development. They maintain that campaigns should primarily be centred on policy proposals and leadership choices.

Alliance leaders say they are not seeking special treatment. They maintain that they remain fully committed to participating in the electoral process and presenting their vision to voters across the country. Their appeals to institutions, they say, are intended to encourage adherence to democratic standards and strengthen public confidence.

The alliance notes that Zambia has built a reputation for peaceful political transitions and active civic participation. Tonse Alliance officials say that record should be protected through a shared commitment to fairness by political parties, public institutions and citizens.

The campaign period is entering a more intensive phase, and questions surrounding fairness and equal access are likely to remain prominent. For the Tonse Alliance, the central message is that electoral competition should take place on a level playing field where every candidate and every political party has an equal opportunity to engage voters and present its case to the nation.