By Francis Chipalo The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum Zambia (CSEIFZ) has warned that escalating political violence in the Copperbelt and North Western Provinces risks fueling voter apathy and eroding Zambia’s democratic gains ahead of the 13 August 2026 General Elections. The forum has expressed “deep concern” over recent incidents, including reports that vehicles belonging […]

By Francis Chipalo

The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum Zambia (CSEIFZ) has warned that escalating political violence in the Copperbelt and North Western Provinces risks fueling voter apathy and eroding Zambia’s democratic gains ahead of the 13 August 2026 General Elections.

The forum has expressed “deep concern” over recent incidents, including reports that vehicles belonging to a certain political party were smashed by suspected UPND cadres.

The Forum said such acts threaten the integrity of the electoral process and public confidence in state institutions.

“Such violence undermines the principles of free and fair elections and erodes public confidence in the ability of institutions to safeguard peace during the electoral cycle,” CSEIFZ stated.

It added that the failure by authorities to act decisively and impartially could lead to widespread voter apathy, particularly in areas perceived to be strongholds of the ruling party.

“When citizens feel that the law is applied unevenly, they lose faith in the democratic process, and this weakens the legitimacy of elections,” the statement read.

It further condemned the acts of electoral violence and called on the Zambia Police to end what it termed ‘the selective application of the law’ in matters of political violence.

The Forum expressed concern over “the apparent inaction of the Zambia Police, who have been observed watching these incidents unfold without taking meaningful steps to intervene.”

CSEIFZ further appealed to the United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership to publicly denounce the violence allegedly perpetrated by suspected UPND cadres.

Meanwhile, the forum urged all political party presidents, including President Hakainde Hichilema, to “unequivocally denounce political violence and commit themselves to peaceful electoral conduct.”

This is contained in a statement issued by Solomon Ngoma, Chairperson and Executive Director, AIPAC
On behalf of CSEIFZ.