IG warns cadres ahead of polls

INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has warned that police shall not hesitate to arrest cadres with a tendency of provoking members of opposing political parties by deliberately straying into their camps or public gatherings.

In a statement yesterday, Mr. Kanganja said Zambia had experienced such occurrences in previous elections, which in most instances resulted in public order disturbance, adding that it should be understood that Section 26 of the Electoral Process Act criminalises such conduct. He said police shall not condone pulling down, defacing or destroying other political parties’ campaign materials as it is criminal and that political leaders at various levels should play their role of educating their cadres against engaging themselves in acts that may trigger violence.

Mr. Kanganja called on all political parties to conduct constructive and issue based campaigns devoid of hate speech, inciting violence or violence, saying political activities should be focused on presenting political parties’ respective manifestos to the electorate and leave it to them to exercise their constitutional right of choosing their preferred leaders without coercion.

He said the Zambia Police Service’s resolve is to ensure an environment conducive for all political parties participating in the forthcoming elections to conduct their scheduled activities in a peaceful environment.

“However, this cannot be possible if political players do not commit themselves to conducting peaceful political activities. I am, therefore, urging the leadership of all political parties at all levels to take a lead in preaching peace to their supporters.