The Editor Zambia
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)’s decision to suspend campaign activities of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) in Kaputa Constituency marks one of the strongest interventions yet aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the 2026 general elections.
According to the Commission, the suspension follows an incident of political violence that resulted in the death of a member of another political party. 
Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro announced that the suspension took immediate effect and would remain in force pending a full review by the Commission.
The decision demonstrates the Commission’s willingness to invoke the powers granted under the Electoral Process (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2026, legislation that empowers it to suspend or restrict campaign activities where there are breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
With Zambia heading toward the 13 August polls, the Commission faces the difficult task of ensuring that political competition remains peaceful while protecting every citizen’s constitutional right to participate in democratic processes.
The Kaputa decision suggests that preventing further violence has become an immediate priority.
Political violence has long posed a challenge to Zambia’s democratic development. Every election cycle has brought renewed calls for political parties, candidates, and supporters to conduct campaigns peacefully and resolve disputes through lawful means rather than confrontation.
The Commission’s statement also referred to another fatal incident in Chivuna Village in Mazabuka District, where Stanley Sakala lost his life. Unlike the Kaputa matter, however, no political party has yet been sanctioned because the Commission is awaiting the findings of the Zambia Police Service before determining whether further action is warranted.
This distinction is significant. It indicates that the Commission is attempting to base its enforcement decisions on available evidence while allowing investigative processes to run their course where necessary.
By taking action in Kaputa while awaiting police findings in Mazabuka, the Commission has sent a message that it intends to apply the law according to the circumstances of each case rather than adopting a blanket approach.
Equally important is the broader warning contained in the Commission’s statement. It reminded all political parties, independent candidates, and campaign teams that violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct will attract serious consequences.
That warning extends beyond any single political organisation. As campaigning intensifies, every participant in the electoral process carries a responsibility to ensure supporters conduct themselves peacefully and respect the rule of law.
Electoral competition should be decided through persuasion, policy proposals, and the ballot box—not intimidation or violence. When lives are lost during campaigns, the democratic process itself is diminished, regardless of which political party is involved.
The Commission’s intervention may, therefore, serve as a deterrent to future misconduct if applied consistently and impartially. Public confidence in electoral institutions depends not only on their independence but also on their willingness to enforce the rules fairly whenever breaches occur.
As investigations continue, due process remains essential. Any criminal responsibility for the reported deaths will ultimately depend on the findings of law enforcement agencies and, where appropriate, the courts.
For now, the Kaputa suspension stands as a reminder that electoral authorities possess legal tools designed to preserve peace during campaigns. Whether those tools succeed will depend on the cooperation of political parties, candidates, and supporters across the country.
With just weeks remaining before Zambians cast their ballots, maintaining peace is not solely the responsibility of the Electoral Commission or the police. It is a shared obligation that rests with every participant in the democratic process.
