Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to protect peace and follow the agreed campaign timetable ahead of Zambia’s 2026 general elections. Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Kawana stressed the importance of maintaining political tolerance as the country prepares for another national poll. His remarks come as political parties intensify their activities and seek to mobilise supporters ahead of the elections. He warned that attempts to provoke clashes or create tension among citizens would not be tolerated. Kawana also reminded political players that elections should be treated as a competition of ideas rather than a matter of life and death.
Kawana urged all political parties and candidates to comply with the agreed electoral programme regardless of their political affiliation. He emphasised that the campaign timetable applies equally to every political organisation taking part in the elections. His appeal included the United Party for National Development, Heritage Party, Republican Party, United National Independence Party, Movement for Multiparty Democracy and National Republican Party United Progressives. By highlighting the need for all parties to follow the same programme, Kawana stressed that political competition must take place within established rules. He called on party leaders to ensure that their supporters also understand and respect the agreed campaign arrangements.
The Permanent Secretary also warned against attempts to provoke clashes between political supporters. He said political differences should not become a reason for citizens to confront, injure or kill one another. His comments reflect growing concerns about the language used by some political circles during election periods, particularly statements that could encourage supporters to believe they must fight or die for their preferred political party. Kawana condemned such rhetoric and urged political leaders to consider the potential consequences of their public statements. He stressed that political disagreements can be addressed through democratic processes without resorting to violence.
Kawana further reminded political parties and their supporters that the 2026 general election is neither the first election Zambia has held nor the last one the country will experience. His message encouraged political players to approach the elections with a broader understanding of democratic participation and national responsibility. Winning or losing an election should not determine whether citizens continue to live peacefully alongside one another. Political parties will compete for votes, but supporters remain members of the same society and must coexist after the election results are announced. This makes responsible political communication particularly important as campaigning gains momentum.
The call for peace also extends to ordinary citizens who participate in political activities. Supporters often play an important role in creating the atmosphere surrounding an election because their behaviour can either promote tolerance or increase tensions. Kawana urged citizens not to allow political differences to persuade them to attack or kill one another. He stressed that no political disagreement should justify violence between individuals, communities or groups of supporters. Citizens can support different candidates while respecting the rights and safety of people who hold opposing political views.
Kawana also called on law enforcement agencies to take action against individuals who incite violence. His appeal places responsibility not only on political parties and citizens but also on institutions responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing the law. Individuals who use inflammatory statements to encourage violence can contribute to an environment in which political disagreements quickly escalate into physical confrontations. Effective enforcement can help deter such behaviour and reinforce the message that political violence will not be accepted. At the same time, political leaders have a responsibility to avoid language that could create unnecessary pressure on law enforcement agencies during the campaign period.
Respect for the agreed campaign timetable remains another central part of Kawana’s message. Campaign schedules provide political parties with a structured framework for engaging voters and conducting political activities without creating unnecessary competition over space, dates or events. When parties disregard agreed arrangements, tensions can develop between rival groups and create avoidable disputes. Kawana therefore appealed to every participating party and candidate to respect the programme regardless of their political standing. The emphasis on equal compliance is intended to ensure that the electoral environment remains predictable and fair for all political participants.
The upcoming general election will be an important moment for Zambia’s democratic process, making responsible political conduct essential. Political parties have the opportunity to present their policies, programmes and ideas to voters and persuade citizens through peaceful campaigning. Supporters can participate actively in the democratic process without resorting to intimidation, threats or violence. Kawana’s appeal highlights the need for political competition to remain focused on issues that matter to voters rather than personal attacks or calls for confrontation. Maintaining peace will require cooperation from political leaders, candidates, supporters, law enforcement agencies and ordinary citizens.
Kawana’s warning serves as a reminder that the responsibility for peaceful elections does not rest with one political party or institution alone. Every party named in his appeal, including the UPND, Heritage Party, Republican Party, UNIP, MMD and NRPUP, is expected to operate within the same agreed framework. Political leaders must guide their supporters through responsible messaging while citizens must reject calls to attack people because of their political choices. Law enforcement agencies must also respond appropriately when individuals cross the line into incitement and violence. As Zambia approaches the 2026 general elections, respect for the campaign timetable, political tolerance and peaceful participation will remain essential to protecting the country’s democratic environment.