Africa-Press – Zambia. Zambia’s electoral commission barred the nation’s ruling party and main opposition from campaigning in the capital, Lusaka, and three other districts because of continuing political violence, while limiting how parties can canvass ahead of elections as Covid-19 cases surge.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia’s tightened restrictions include halting so-called political roadshows and limiting groups conducting door-to-door campaigns to three people, Kryticous Nshindano, the chief electoral officer, said Tuesday in comments broadcast over the internet.
Zambia, which last year became Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter, will hold general elections on Aug. 12. President Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front is competing with United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema in what’s expected to be a tight contest. In recent weeks tensions have risen as some of their supporters clashed.
Whoever wins will need to secure an economic program from the International Monetary Fund to restructure the government’s more than $12 billion in external debt.
The nation reported a record 2,690 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, and has had the highest relative rise in daily cases globally over the past two weeks. Hichilema’s UPND has accused the government of “weaponizing” Zambia’s third wave to prevent his party from campaigning, while Lungu holds rallies under the guise of inspecting and commissioning development projects — claims the government denies.
State of Emergency Lungu said on June 13 that the law gave him powers to invoke measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Under Zambian law, the president can declare a state of emergency that lapses after seven days if not approved by a majority of lawmakers.
“If Electoral Commission of Zambia can’t do their part, if the police can’t do their part, in the constitution — if you read carefully — I have power that I can invoke anytime,” Lungu said in comments broadcast on state television. “Don’t push me against that route.”
The electoral commission will review the decision to bar the ruling party and main opposition from campaigning in Lusaka and three other districts after 14 days, Nshindano said.
