Group urges Electoral Commission to lift ban on use of PF regalia by NCP in Mfuwe by-election

Operation Young Vote (OYV) has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to lift its ban on the use of Patriotic Front (PF) regalia by the New Congress Party (NCP) during campaigns for the upcoming Mfuwe parliamentary by-election.

The ECZ recently prohibited the use of PF attire by NCP and other Tonse Alliance-affiliated parties, directing them instead to adopt a single campaign regalia.

However, OYV Executive Director Guess Nyirenda, in a statement issued in Lusaka, described the ECZ’s directive as not only misguided but also lacking legal foundation.

Nyirenda said a close reading of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 reveals no provision barring a political party—whether part of an alliance or not—from using another party’s regalia during campaigns.

He emphasized that the Act’s definition of campaign materials under Section 2 includes clothing and items with party symbols, without specifying restrictions on who may use them.

“Furthermore, Sections 29(3) and 29(4) of the Act, which deal with the distribution of campaign material and participation of candidates or parties, do not provide legal grounding to prohibit alliance members from wearing each other’s regalia in support of a common candidate,” Nyirenda explained.

He recalled that President Hakainde Hichilema had publicly stated that, although his party members were once victims of harassment for wearing party regalia while in opposition, he would not tolerate similar harassment against individuals wearing PF attire.

“The ECZ is now clearly contradicting the President’s stated position. How then will it handle individuals who wear PF regalia as ordinary clothing and not as campaign material in Mfuwe?” Nyirenda questioned.

He argued that allowing alliance members to use each other’s regalia promoted unity in diversity and fosters a more inclusive and engaging electoral process.

Nyirenda said such practices reflect the spirit of political collaboration and respect for constitutional rights, particularly the freedoms of expression and association guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

“Given the recognition of political alliances and the common practice of supporting a single candidate, it logically follows that alliance members should be free to wear each other’s regalia as a symbol of unity,” he added.

OYV has since called on the ECZ to respect the rule of law and the rights of political parties to freely express themselves during elections.

Nyirenda urged all stakeholders—including the ECZ and other authorities—to reject efforts aimed at restricting political expression through regalia.

“We appeal to the ECZ to reconsider its stance and uphold the constitutional principles of freedom of association and expression,” he said.

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