Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has challenged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to enforce provisions of the Electoral Process Act that prohibit traditional leaders from influencing their subjects to support particular political parties or candidates.
TI-Z says it is concerned by the growing involvement of traditional leaders and public officials in partisan political activities, as well as political statements that risk fuelling tribal and regional divisions during the campaign period.
The organisation has cited Section 3(1)(i) of the Electoral Code of Conduct under the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, which mandates the ECZ to ensure that traditional leaders do not exert undue influence on their subjects to support any political party or candidate.
TI-Z says traditional leaders hold positions of trust and authority that should remain above partisan politics, warning that the ECZ’s failure to enforce the law risks undermining Zambia’s democratic process.
By Cherish Sibote
