LAZ CONDEMNS ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AHEAd OF THE 13TH AUGUST 2026GENERAL ELECTIONS AND CALLS FOR IMPARTIAL ENFORCEMENT OF THELAW

LAZ CONDEMNS ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AHEAd OF THE 13TH AUGUST 2026GENERAL ELECTIONS AND CALLS FOR IMPARTIAL ENFORCEMENT OF THELAW. The Law Association of Zambia (“LAZ”) unequivocally condemns he incidents ofpolitical violence reported in various parts of the country in recent days, as the nation approaches the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections (the General Elections) scheduled […]

LAZ CONDEMNS ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AHEAd OF THE 13TH AUGUST 2026
GENERAL ELECTIONS AND CALLS FOR IMPARTIAL ENFORCEMENT OF THE
LAW.

The Law Association of Zambia (“LAZ”) unequivocally condemns he incidents of
political violence reported in various parts of the country in recent days, as the nation approaches the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections (the General Elections) scheduled for 13th August 2026.

Such conduct is an affront to the rule of law,
undermines public confidence in the electoral process, and threatens the democratic values upon which Zambia is founded.

LAZ notes with grave concern, the reports of assaults on candidates and their supporters,
the bstruction and stoning of campaign convoys, acts of intimidation, and the destruction of property.

This political violence is unacceptable conduct; and constitutes
criminal behaviour and an electoral offence under the laws of Zambia
Article 45(2) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 (the
Constitution) requires that elections must be conducted in a manner that is free and fair
and devoid of violence, intimidation, corruption, and other electoral malpractices.

In furtherance of this constitutional imperative,section 83 of the Electoral Process Act No.35 of 2016 prohibits the use or threatened use of force, violence, restraint, or injury for the purpose of influencing political participation, voter choice, or attendance at political meetings.

The law provides clear sanctions for persons found guilty of such conduct.

Further, paragraph 15(1)(a) of the Electoral Code of Conduct prohibits conduct or the use
of language that causes, promotes, or is likely to lead to violence or intimidation during an election campaign.

Zambia’s legal framework is therefore, adequate.

What is required is its timely, consistent, and impartial enforcement.

LAZ calls upon the Zambia Police Service to discharge its constitutional mandate under
Article 193 of the Constitution professionally, independently, and without favour by
promptly investigating all reported incidents of political violence and ensuring that all
perpetrators, sponsors, and instigators are brought before the courts, regardless ofpolitical affliation.

Equal application of the law is indispensable to maintaining public
confidence and preserving peace.

As an accredited election observer, LAZ is concerned that the escalation of political violence has the potential to undermine the integrity, credibility, and transparency of the electoral process, as well as impede the effective discharge of its election observation
mandate, a peaceful and secure environment is indispensable to enabling election
observers to monitor the electoral proces reely, independently, and without intimidation.

LAZ therefore urges all stakeholders to ensure that conditions remain
conducive to credible election observation and to the holding of elections that are
genuinely free, fair, peaceful, and reflective of the will of the people

LAZ further calls upon the Electoral Commission of Zambia, as the independent
constitutional body established under Article 229 of the Constitution, to rigorously
enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct and to invoke all available sanctions where
evidence establishes breaches by candidates, political parties, or their supporters
Political parties, candidates, and their supporters must exercise restraint and uphold democratic values throughout the electoral process.

Political competition must be conducted through persuasion, debate, and respect for the rule of law, rather than through ntimidation, coercion, or violence.

Political leader bear a heightened
responsibility to discourage unlawful conduct, promote peaceful participation, and
ensure that their supporters conduct themselves within the confines of the law.

LAZ further reminds political parties, candidates, and their leaders that they bear
responsibility not only for their own conduct but also for the conduct of their members and supporters.

Leaders must refrain from making statements or engaging in conduct that may incite, encourage, or condone acts of violence or intimidation.

Political leadership carries a corresponding duty to promote peaceful participation, respect for the
rule of law, and adherence to the Electoral Code of Conduct.

No political leader should seek to distance themselves from acts of violence committed by their supporters where such conduct is encouraged, tolerated, or left unchecked

LAZ also urges members of the public to reject violence in all its forms, to resist any inducement to participate in unlawful acts, and to report incidents of political violence promptly to the Zambia Police Service and the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Everycitizen has the constitutional right to participate in political activities and to vote freely,peacefully, and without fear

As Zambia prepares to exercise one of the most fundamental democratic rights, all stakeholders must recognise that an election is a contest of leadership, and not a contest of force.

Zambia’s proud democratic tradition and history of peaceful transfers of power
must be safeguarded through collective commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law,the respect for human rights, and the conduct of elections that are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.

This Press Statement is issued pursuant to section 4 of the Law Association of Zambia Act, Chapter 31 of the Laws of Zambia.

Dated this 6th day of August, 2026.