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The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) Zambia has reminded the Electoral Commission of Zambia that it had no legal or moral right to stop political campaigns.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, CSEIFZ Chairperson Solomon Ngoma said campaigns were a constitutional right of political parties and candidates.
Ngoma said the Zambia Police were responsible for coordinating activities to maintain order and avoid clashes.
He emphasized that political parties should be free to plan and carry out their own campaign programs without interference from ECZ.
“Campaigns are a constitutional right of political parties and candidates. The Zambia Police are responsible for coordinating activities to maintain order and avoid clashes. Political Parties must be free to plan and carry out their own campaign programs without interference from ECZ,” Ngoma said.
“ECZ’s role is to run elections fairly and transparently, not to dictate campaign schedules or accuse political actors,” he added.
Ngoma said ECZ had never managed campaign rallies in the past and that its job was to oversee elections according to the law.
“ECZ has never managed campaign rallies in the past. Its job is to oversee elections according to the law, while parties organize their own campaigns. Changing this practice undermines democracy and creates unnecessary tension,” he said.
Read More: Tonse Pamodzi Alliance rejects Electoral Commission’s advisory, vows to continue rallies
“Zambia’s reputation is at stake, especially with international observers watching the 2026 General Elections. Any missteps risk embarrassing the nation and weakening confidence in our electoral system,” he said.
ECZ had raised concern over disorder in presidential campaigns, warning that the absence of a coordinated framework could undermine the electoral process and trigger conflict among political parties.
The Commission said it had resolved to promote fairness, orderly conduct and effective management of campaign activities during the campaign period.
It stated that it had allowed all presidential candidates to proceed with already scheduled campaign programmes up to Friday, June 19, 2026.
However, this was rejected by the Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance which has gone ahead to hold its rally in Eastern Province as reported by Zambia Monitor.
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