25th January 2023
SACCORD Statement on the Just Ended Ward By-Elections
The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) would like to congratulate the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) for winning two out of the four, the opposition Socialist Party (SP) for winning one out of the four, and the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) for winning one out of the four recently held ward by-elections.
The diversity of the winners in the just ended by-elections goes to show the multi-party and competitive nature of Zambia’s democratic dispensation.
The ruling UPND and opposition PF are well established parties and have been at the centre of governance in Zambia for decades.
The just ended by-elections have brought a new entrant in the local government system with the SP winning their first ward by-election since formation.
We encourage all political parties to remain steadfast and positive in participating in elections as this is one sure way of guaranteeing participation and enhancing electoral democracy.
This participation must be peaceful as any acts of political or electoral violence become a disservice to the nation’s democracy.
As such, we regret some of the reported acts of political/electoral violence in the just ended by-elections a sign that we still have much work to do to end the scourge in the country.
Boniface Cheembe
Executive Director