ZANIS COPY – Political Parties should maintain peace – ECZ

—-The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has advised political parties contesting the Livingstone and Mpongwe Parliamentary by- elections to uphold tranquillity before, during and after the elections.

In a telephone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, ECZ Public Relations Manager, Cris Akufuna, said the electoral body expects all political parties participating in the Livingstone and Mpongwe by elections to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Mr Akufuna was commenting on calls by the Southern African Centre for the Constructive of Resolution Dispute (SACCORD) that the Electoral Commission of Zambia should hold a meeting with the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) to give a clear explanation of its controversial ‘Mapatizya Formula”.

He said it is entirely up to the UPND as a political party to tell the Zambian people what it meant by the “Mapatizya Formula’ because it is only the party that knows the formula best.

Mr Akufuna noted that following the recent joint peace accord which was endorsed by political parties, the Commission wants to see all the candidates in the race preaching peace and unity to the electorates as well as to their cadres.

He said the Electoral Commission of Zambia took the proactive approach to bring together different political players and, therefore, hopes to see a positive scenario as parties carry on with their campaigns.

He urged political parties in the country to desist from taking the peace the country has continued to enjoy for granted, saying it is imperative that this favourable atmosphere be cherished and sustained.

Mr Akufuna observed that without peace and order no country would continue thriving economically, hence the need for every meaningful Zambian to support this cause.

He implored senior politicians from all parties across the country to assist in giving counsel to the younger generation to produce future violent-free political cadres.