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The Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba has announced the deployment of unknown number of police officers across the country to strengthen visibility, improve response time and reassure communities ahead of this week’s polls.
Musamba said the deployment plan had been finalized with police officers strategically deployed to polling stations and totalling centres.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Musamba said preparations for mobile patrols, crime detection operations and rapid response teams have also been enhanced in all the provinces.
He assured that the deployments were intended to ensure that every eligible Zambian was able to vote freely, peacefully and without intimidation.
“Our constitutional responsibility is to create and maintain a safe, secure and conducive environment in which every citizen can freely exercise the right to vote,” Musamba stated.
The Inspector General of Police urged everyone that after casting their vote, they should return peacefully to their homes or places of work, or continue with their normal lawful activities.
He emphasized the need for everyone to avoid loitering around polling stations, except for persons accredited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
“The official declaration of election results is the constitutional responsibility of the Electoral Commission of Zambia,” Musamba stated.
He urged members of the public to obtain election results only from official and authorized sources and to avoid circulating or relying on unverified information, rumors and speculative announcements on social media.
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Musamba also encouraged social media users to act responsibly, avoid hate speech and incitement, misinformation, disinformation and messages intended to create panic, fear, or public disorder.
He warned that the misuse of social media has the potential to undermine peace and national security and those found using digital platforms to commit criminal offenses would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Zambia.
“All political leaders, candidates and their supporters are also encouraged to exercise tolerance, restraint and mutual respect. Democracy demands co existence, dialogue and respect for differing political opinions,” Musamba said.
He stated that where disputes arose, they should be resolved through lawful institutions established under the laws, including the Electoral Conflict Management Committees and the Courts of law and not through violence or intimidation.
Musamba cited Article 60 the Constitution of Zambia which placed responsibility on political parties and leaders to promote national unity, uphold democracy and respect democratic processes
“In particular, Article 60(3) prohibits political parties from engaging in or encouraging violence or intimidation. I wish to emphasize that the Constitution rights of citizens must be exercised within the law,” he said.
Musamba stated that police patrols would be intensified through the country and members of the public should also expect an increased police presence, including snap security checkpoints on selected roads.
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