SIX of Zambia’s cooperating partners have urged government to ensure a free, fair electoral process.
In a joint statement on the upcoming August 12 general election, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom say they expect all Zambians to follow the Constitution.
“As the election campaign begins, we encourage an electoral process that is free, fair, and absent of violence. All parties and candidates should be afforded equal rights and protections. The Zambian people have the right to express their will through freely cast ballots,” reads the statement in part. “As fellow members of the global community of democracies, we stand side-by-side with the Zambian people and look forward to this right being honoured, and to an election process that further strengthens and consolidates Zambia’s parliamentary democracy.”
They welcomed the government’s commitment to hold democratic elections.
The diplomats looked to every Zambian to commit to the principles of democracy.
“As Friends of Zambian Democracy, we welcome the Zambian government’s stated commitment to holding democratic and credible elections on August 12, 2021. Specifically, we welcome assurances that the elections will be conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia and in line with international standards, such as the Southern African Development Community Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections,” said the diplomats. “We look to all Zambians to commit themselves to the principles of democracy, good governance, rule of law, and the respect for human rights, as enshrined in the Zambian constitution. This is the basis for upholding Zambia’s longstanding ethos of ‘One Zambia One Nation’.”