Let Kasama vote in peace, no violence
Editorial Comment
AS THE people of Kasama prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to elect a mayor, the eyes of the nation are fixed on how this by-election will unfold. Elections are the bedrock of democracy, and their credibility depends not only on the accurate counting of votes but also on the environment in which citizens exercise their right to vote.
In this regard, we strongly advise the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to refrain from unleashing violence, intimidation or any form of coercion before, during and after the by-election.
Past experience has taught Zambians painful lessons. In several recent by-elections, notably in Kawambwa, Pambashe and Lumezi, there have been incidents of UPND cadres instilling fear in voters, disrupting campaigns and creating conditions that undermined free choice.
This usually happens when the UPND knows that it either has a weak candidate or the people have rejected it in preference for the opposition. They unleashed thugs who went on rampage harassing and brutalising potential voters, especially those who do not support their party, and opposition leaders.
But such actions, which often escalated on the eve of polling and on election day itself, have sent a chilling message to the electorate that political participation might come at the cost of personal safety. Some have been forced to either stay away or vote for a candidate they do not support, against their will. This is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy and must not be allowed to happen in Kasama.
Even more worrying have been instances in which violent party cadres have overran vote totaling centres, chased away election monitors and observers and interfered with ballot security, sometimes in full view of Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officials and police. We saw this in Kawambwa. But this time around people must be vigilant and resist any such intimidation.
Such acts erode public trust in institutions designed to protect the integrity of the electoral process. Democracy demands transparency, impartiality and strict adherence to the law. Anything less undermines the legitimacy of elections and the confidence of citizens in the system.
The Kasama mayoral by-election offers the UPND a chance to demonstrate that it respects democratic norms. If the party genuinely enjoys support in Kasama, it should have no fear of letting voters decide freely on their own. Popularity is measured at the ballot box, not through intimidation or coercion.
Zambians across political divides have consistently shown that they reject violence. History has repeatedly demonstrated that aggressive tactics often backfire politically as voters resent being bullied or forced into compliance. A party that relies on fear instead of persuasion exposes itself as lacking confidence in its own appeal and risks long-term political damage.
We fully endorse the warning of the All People’s Congress Party (APC) that political violence cannot not help the UPND retain power. APC leader Nason Msoni observed that the mood on the ground in Kasama reflects a determined electorate that cannot be coerced into submission through violence.
He argues that attempts to force people to vote for the UPND will fail, just as similar tactics failed in Chawama. Whether one agrees with Msoni’s political conclusions or not, the underlying message is clear that violence does not win hearts, and it does not secure legitimacy.
There are reports that known Lusaka-based thugs have been “imported” into Kasama to cause havoc on the eve of the voting day and on the actual day to sway the outcome in favour of the UPND. On Monday these same violence mongers chased an opposition campaign team for quite some time intent on harming the campaigners. Such behaviour only hurts the UPND’s candidate because it breeds resentment among local people.
We, therefore, call upon UPND leaders to rein in their cadres, especially the violent imports from Lusaka, and issue clear, unequivocal instructions that intimidation, harassment and interference with the electoral process will not be tolerated. The police and ECZ must also rise to the occasion to ensure that all candidates, party officials, observers and voters can operate in a safe, transparent and lawful environment.
Kasama deserves a mayor chosen freely by its people. Not one imposed through fear. Zambia deserves elections that strengthen, rather than weaken, its democracy.
The nation is watching. Should there be violence in Kasama today and tomorrow, the people already know who the perpetrators will be. They will wait for august 13 to quietly but emphatically express their displeasure against the sponsoring political party in the polling booths.
We urge the UPND to choose restraint over aggression, democracy over cadreism and peace over violence. The people of Kasama, and indeed of Zambia, will not forget how this by-election is conducted. Let tomorrow be a test of the ruling party’s commitment to democratic principles and peace. The people of Zambia are watching and posterity will judge harshly those who perpetrate violence.
