Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Irene Mambilima says the commission is experiencing a lot of conflicts during elections making conflict management the most important functions of the commission.
In a speech read on her behalf by Commissioner Minverva Tembo, Justice Mambilima said the Commission realises the importance managing and resolving conflicts expeditiously and effectively as not doing so would lead to conflicts degenerating into violence.
She said in its quest to contain electoral conflicts, the Commission has established conflict management committees in all the old districts which she explained that have been instrumental in resolving electoral conflicts and intends todo the same in the newly created districts.
And the Chairperson has attributed high cases of violence during by-elections to the transporting of cadres from other towns to drum up support for their candidates which she said increase electoral conflicts while that during a tripartite elections cadres are confined to their respective areas.
Ms. Justice Mambilima also said non adherence to the electoral code of conduct was a major contributor to electoral conflicts.
And Head of the European Union Delegation to Zambia Gilles Hervio said noted the need to eradicate political violence as it undermines the proper functioning of democracy.
Mr. Hervio explained that democracy was not about elections but that it was about freedom, participation, transparency, information as well as justice hence the need to ensure that it is preserved.
The duo said this during the official opening of training in leadership and conflict management for electoral stakeholders in Lusaka today.
the conflicts in the by elections are caused by the ruling party and yes very true because of party cadres being transported from different areas, each place having a by election should never allow these people there, Zambia was a country admired by outsiders but now we have a new political arena of violence, let s go back to the peace we enjoyed in the past.