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The Human Rights Commission has joined other stakeholders in condemning escalating incidents of political violence ahead of the August 13, polls, warning that such acts threatened fundamental rights and the credibility of the electoral process.
Commission Chairperson, Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, said the attacks undermined the peaceful and credible conduct of elections guaranteed under the Constitution.
In a statement issued in Lusaka, Sambo said the Commission was particularly concerned about violence during campaign activities, including the reported assault on musician Clifford Dimba, popularly known as General Kanene, in Shibuyunji District, and an incident in Western Province where a law-enforcement officer was reportedly injured.
“The Human Rights Commission strongly condemns the recent incidents of political violence reported in different parts of the country. Such violence threatens the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” she stated.
Sambo urged the Zambia Police Service to swiftly, thoroughly and professionally investigate all reported incidents and to arrest and prosecute suspects regardless of their political affiliation or status.
“We call upon the Zambia Police Service to promptly and impartially investigate the reported incidents, identify those responsible and ensure that all persons against whom sufficient evidence exists are arrested and prosecuted,” she stated.
Sambo also urged victims to report incidents to police and to its offices countrywide, or through its toll-free line 8181.
She stressed that no electoral victory was worth compromising the peace, safety and dignity of Zambians.
“Political violence also undermines the rule of law and threatens the holding of peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. The HRC is equally concerned about ongoing harassment, intimidation and violence directed at female candidates,” Sambo said.
The Commission’s concerns were echoed by the Consortium of CSOs for Good Governance and Constitutionalism, representing 9 member organizations led by Chapter One Foundation and CARITAS Zambia, who also raised alarm over attacks on candidates, campaign convoys, and disruption of electoral processes.
The CSOs said they were disturbed by video footage appearing to show persons in UPND regalia preventing opposition representatives from witnessing ballot paper arrival, and by an attack on an aspiring Independent MP for Mwembbezhi East.
They also cited the 4 August incident in Western Province where suspected UPND cadres allegedly ambushed a convoy carrying Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu.
“We unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, harassment and disruption of political campaigns, regardless of who commits them,” the Consortium of CSOs stated.
The group noted that the reported incidents interfered with fundamental rights including personal security, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and the right to participate in public affairs without fear or intimidation.
“Violence harms more than those caught in the immediate confrontation. It frightens voters, silences candidates, endangers journalists and election monitors, and discourages citizens from participating freely,” the CSOs warned.
They further called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to investigate potential breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct and to ensure ballot handling was transparent. They also urged President Hakainde Hichilema to match condemnation with concrete action.
Both the HRC and CSOs appealed to political parties to discipline members and reject violence, emphasizing the need for parties to instruct their members and supporters to refrain from violence, retaliation, intimidation and inflammatory conduct.
“Finally, we call upon all Zambians to reject political violence in all its forms. Elections must be decided through ideas, persuasion and the ballot, not through fear, intimidation or physical force,” they said.
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