FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ECZ MUST STOP ACTING AS AN EXTENSION OF THE UPND
The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) strongly condemns the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) unprecedented and unlawful decision to suspend all approved campaign activities in Chimpundu Ward simply because the Republican Vice President Mutale Nalumango is undertaking a Government working visit.
This directive is a blatant abuse of the Commission’s authority and has no legal or constitutional foundation.
The Republican Vice President does not possess executive powers that override an ECZ-approved Presidential campaign programme. Government business cannot be used as an excuse to deny opposition candidates their constitutional right to campaign.
If this action is allowed to stand, Zambia will have taken a dangerous step towards destroying the principles of free, fair and competitive elections that citizens expect in the forthcoming General Election.
The Electoral Commission exists to protect the integrity of elections not to shield Government officials from political competition.
NRPUP therefore rejects this illegitimate directive in its entirety. We shall not comply with instructions that are arbitrary, discriminatory and contrary to the Constitution. We demand the immediate withdrawal of this illegal suspension.
ECZ Chairperson Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis must appreciate that this is not the first election Zambia has conducted. Former Vice Presidents, including Hon Guy Scott and Hon Inonge Wina, undertook official Government programmes during election periods, yet never did the ECZ suspend duly approved opposition campaigns to accommodate their movements.
Why is the Commission introducing a new standard today?
The only reasonable conclusion is that the Commission is yielding to political pressure in an attempt to frustrate the growing wave of change sweeping across Zambia. Such conduct erodes public confidence in the ECZ and casts serious doubt on its commitment to impartiality.
We urge the ECZ to remember that it serves the Constitution and the people of Zambia—not the Government of the day. The Commission’s credibility depends on its independence, fairness and equal treatment of all contestants.
NRPUP remains committed to peaceful and issue-based campaigns. However, we shall vigorously defend our constitutional rights against any attempt to suppress our campaign under the guise of administrative directives.
Issued by:
Elias Kamanga
Chairperson for Information and Publicity
NRPUP