PF, UPND PROTEST BAN

The decision to suspend campaign activities in violence affected areas is final and we will only review the decision after 14 days.

BOTH the Patriotic Front (PF) and the UPND have protested the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ban them from conducting political campaigns in Lusaka, Namwala, Mpulungu and Nakonde owing to rampant political violence but the commission has maintained that the ban stays.

The two parties all claimed that they were the victims, therefore the decision be rescinded in each one’s favour.

PF Secretary General, Davies Mwila said the ruling party was a victim of the UPND’s reign of terror and violence as UPND Alliance media director, Thabo Kawana also claimed they were a victim of PF provocation.

Inspector General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja has however directed all regulating police officers to ensure that no political activity was undertaken by any member of PF and UPND in the stated areas.

This follows a decision by ECZ to suspend the ruling PF and UPND from participating in any form of campaigns in Lusaka, Mpulungu, Namwala and Nakonde for two weeks.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Patrick Nshindano announced at a press briefing yesterday that the commission had decided to suspend all campaign activities involving PF and UPND in the said districts due to escalating levels of political violence ahead of the August 12 general elections.

Mr Mwila said in a statement issued by PF media director Antonio Mwanza that the decision was unfair and unjust because the ruling party was actually a victim of the UPND’s violence.

“The UPND have gone on rampage, burning vehicles, and beating and even killing our members in places such as Nalikwanda,” he said.

He said the ECZ should punish the perpetrators (UPND) and not the victims (PF) of political violence.

And UPND Alliance media director, Thabo Kawana said ‘UPND is a victim of PF’s provocation’.

In an interview, Mr Nshindano however said the decision to suspend campaign activities in violence affected areas was final and would only review the decision after 14 days.

He also said the commission had called for a meeting with political party presidents tomorrow to address various issues as the country prepares for election.

And Mr Kanganja directed that no notification of any intended public political activities by the PF and UPND shall be entertained or acknowledged by the police in Lusaka, Mpulungu, Nakonde and Namwala.