Zambia’s electoral agency held a meeting Friday for presidential candidates over the escalating poll violence.
Last week, a youth of the main opposition United Party for National Development was shot dead after police opened fire and teargas to disperse a protesting mob.
The governing Patriotic Front party with other four signed a peace accord to reject violence, but the main opposition demanded an addendum to provide for “rights, obligations, sanctions and measure for the enforcement of the pledge.
Not a choice
“If those things are in place, we’re ready to sign like yesterday,” Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema told journalists after the meeting.
“Peace is not a choice for anybody, we want peace,” he added.
Mr Hichilema complained of how his party had been ‘frustrated’ from flying their helicopters around as they canvassed for votes, including the denial of permits for them to hold rallies.
A brief comment
President Edgar Lungu who seemly left the meeting incensed, gave a brief comment about the matter before dashing off to a political rally north of the country.
The meeting was attended by the Commonwealth special advisor on political dialogue for the 2016 General Election and referendum, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, and the United Nations resident coordinator, Ms Janet Rogan.
Zambia has witnessed electoral violence mainly in the capital Lusaka, a sign of tension between two main rival parties jostling for power.
Ban on campaigns
The electoral body imposed a 10-day ban on campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala District which ends on Monday.
Eight candidate are seeking to unseat President Lungu, whose party has only been in power for about five years.
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