The Editor Zambia
As Zambia moves closer to the August 13 General Election, all political parties have a constitutional right to campaign, assemble and present their messages to the electorate.
However, these rights come with responsibilities because every political player, regardless of affiliation, must conduct campaigns within the confines of the law and cooperate with law enforcement agencies whose duty is to preserve peace and public order. 
Recent confrontations involving members of the Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance and the Zambia Police Service have once again highlighted the importance of discipline during election campaigns.
The opposition leaders have wrongly accused police of harassment following incidents in Kalingalinga and Kabwata, despite the facts surrounding these confrontations, are established before conclusions are drawn. Allegations, especially those circulating on social media, should never replace verified facts.
The Zambia Police Service has a constitutional mandate to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and ensure that campaign activities do not threaten public safety. Officers are expected to enforce the Public Order Act and other relevant laws impartially which they have done because they know this responsibility becomes even more critical during election periods when emotions often run high and isolated incidents can easily escalate into widespread violence.
The Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance camp should know that as a political party, it has an obligation to ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully. Convoys that disregard police instructions, supporters who provoke officers, or groups that become unruly only create situations where law enforcement is compelled to intervene. When police take action to restore order, such interventions should not automatically be portrayed as political persecution without credible evidence.
Zambia has witnessed in previous elections how political violence can undermine democracy, destroy property, injure innocent citizens, and discourage voter participation. This was the order of the day when the Patriotic Front (PF), which has morphed into Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance, was in power, meaning the new turncoats should know this. No responsible Zambian citizen wishes to return to those unfortunate days of pangas, uncontrolled cadrerism, and mere anarchy.
Political leaders like Brian Mundubile and his colleague Makebi Zulu must, therefore, lead by example by urging their supporters to remain calm, comply with lawful instructions, and avoid confrontations with security personnel.
There is a growing tendency by Tonse – Pamodzi Alliance members to portray every police action as evidence of oppression from the ruling party.
Such narratives, when unsupported by verified facts, risk undermining public confidence in institutions that are essential for maintaining peace during elections.
Law enforcement officers deserve scrutiny where appropriate, but they also deserve the opportunity to perform their duties without constant provocation or political pressure.
Political maturity demands that campaigns focus on ideas, policies, and solutions to the country’s challenges rather than confrontations with the police.
Voters are interested in how leaders intend to improve the economy, create jobs, strengthen healthcare, improve education, and develop infrastructure—not in repeated scenes of conflict between campaign convoys and law enforcement officers.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has repeatedly called upon all contestants to conduct peaceful campaigns and respect electoral regulations. We hope this counselling is not falling on deaf ears of the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance members.
These appeals should not be ignored. Every party, whether in government or opposition, shares responsibility for ensuring that Zambia’s elections remain peaceful, credible, and accepted by all participants.
The police, for their part, must continue to discharge their duties professionally as they have been doing.
Therefore, Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance members must understand that maintaining public order always requires police intervention, particularly where there is a genuine risk of disorder or breaches of the law as the country has witnessed recently.
As the nation enters the final weeks before polling day, Zambia’s democratic reputation depends on the conduct of every stakeholder.
Political leaders must discourage unruly behaviour like the one being perpetrated by Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, and their supporters must obey lawful police instructions.
Respect for the rule of law is not a sign of weakness; it is the cornerstone of democracy. Only through mutual respect between political actors and the police can Zambia continue to hold peaceful, credible, and orderly elections that reflect the true will of its people.
