The Law Association of Zambia has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to rigorously enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections, warning that rising political violence threatened the credibility of the polls.

The call comes amid reports of assaults on candidates and their supporters, obstruction and stoning of campaign convoys, acts of intimidation, and destruction of property in various parts of the country.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday LAZ President, Arnold Kaluba, said the incidents were occurring risk undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

Kaluba said the ECZ, as the independent constitutional body established under Article 229 of the Constitution, should invoke all available sanctions where evidence established breaches by candidates, political parties, or their supporters.

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“Political competition must be conducted through persuasion, debate, and respect for the rule of law, rather than through intimidation, coercion, or violence,” he said.

Kaluba cited Article 45(2) of the Constitution which required elections to be free, fair and devoid of violence, intimidation, corruption and other malpractices and also referenced Section 83 of the Electoral Process Act which prohibited the use or threatened use of force to influence political participation.

He further noted that paragraph 15(1)(a) of the Electoral Code of Conduct prohibited language likely to lead to violence during campaigns, and said Zambia’s legal framework is adequate.

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