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The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum Zambia has raised concern over escalating political violence in the Copperbelt and North Western Provinces, warning it could fuel voter apathy and undermine democratic gains.
CSEIFZ Chairperson, Solomon Ngoma, said reports indicated that vehicles belonging to a certain political party were smashed, acts it described as a serious threat to the integrity of Zambia’s electoral process.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Ngoma said such incidents eroded public confidence in institutions mandated to safeguard peace during the election period.
He condemned the violence and called on the Zambia Police Service Command to act impartially and decisively in handling political violence cases.
“We strongly condemn these acts of electoral violence and call upon the Zambia Police Service Command to end the selective application of the law in matters relating to political violence,” Ngoma said.
He further said failure by law enforcement to act could discourage citizens from participating in the August 13, General Election.
“The failure to act decisively and impartially has the potential to cause widespread voter apathy, particularly in areas perceived to be strongholds of the ruling party. When citizens feel that the law is applied unevenly, they lose faith in the democratic process, and this weakens the legitimacy of elections,” Ngoma stated.
He further expressed concern over what it termed the apparent inaction of police officers observed at some of the incidents.
“Violence does not strengthen democracy; it discredits those who tolerate or entertain it, and it discourages citizens from participating in elections,” he said.
Ngoma urged all political party presidents, including President Hakainde Hichilema, to unequivocally denounce political violence and commit to peaceful electoral conduct.
“We therefore urge all political party presidents, including His Excellency President Hichilema, to unequivocally denounce political violence and commit themselves to peaceful electoral conduct,” he said.
Ngoma emphasized that protecting Zambia’s democracy was a shared responsibility of the ruling party, opposition, civil society and state institutions.
He said silence or indifference in the face of violence was unacceptable, stressing that only through collective condemnation and decisive action can Zambia ensure that elections remain a true reflection of the will of the people.
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