Zambia: Commission worried violence incidents in campaigns

By Peter Adamu
The Human Right Commission is gravely saddened by reported cases of electoral violence.

Commission Director Florence Chibwesha says political violence tames democracy and muffles dissenting views.

Chibwesha says with only six days to go before the presidential elections, the Human Rights Commission is calling on political parties and their supporters tHRC logoo desist from engaging in violence, coercion and intimidation as it has the potential of increasing voter apathy and threatens all eligible Zambians from exercising their right to vote for the party of their choice on 20 January, 2015.

Chibwesha says the Commission calls upon all political party leaders to ensure that their supporters end intimidation and violence that threaten the peaceful and free elections and the lives of citizens.

She says the Commission urges tolerance for rivalry and divergent views in which political election campaigns are taking place.

The Human Rights Commission Director Florence has called on the Police officers to be vigilant and act swiftly to ensure that perpetrators of electoral violence are brought to book.

-Zambia Reports