ECZ regrets Dr Jere’s banning of political rallies before time

ECZ regrets Dr Jere’s banning of political rallies before time

Livingstone, February, 25, ZANIS —–The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it regrets the statement made by Deputy Inspector of Police Solomon Jere who yesterday banned  public rallies during the campaigns in the Livingstone  constitutively by-elections.

In an press statement made available to ZANIS in Livingstone today, ECZ Public Relations Manager, Chris Akufuna reiterated that political campaigns, including rallies for both Mpongwe and Livingstone constituencies will end tomorrow, Tuesday, 26th February
at 06:00hours as stated in the earlier statements issued by the commissions on 10th February, 2013.

“The ECZ  has noted with regret the statement made by Dr Jere banning public rallies during campaigns in Livingstone by-election and  I wish to reiterate that political campaigns including rallies will end tomorrow the 26th of February at exactly 06:00 hours,” said Mr Akufuna.

Mr Akufuna stated that the commissions was not aware of any ban of party campaigns as stated by Dr Jere who yesterday announced the ban of all political campaigns in Livingstone.

“The commissions  is not aware of any ban of political campaigns as announced  by Dr Jere and I want to state that it is the mandate of the commission to set up election time table, including a campaign time table which should be adhered to by all political parties and stakeholders without exception ,” said Mr Akufuna.

“The commission therefore regrets the confusion that has risen from the statement made by Dr Jere” he added.

He explained that the current position of the commission is that the official campaign period ends tomorrow at 06:00 hours.

Yesterday Dr Jere announced the close of campaign activities in both Mpongwe and Livingstone by-elections set for February 28th, 2013, citing violence as a reason for the ban of political rallies.