Police to ensure violence-free Samfya poll
Published On July 27, 2015 » 1794 Views» By Administrator Times » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE
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Stella Libongani 628x350By NORMA SIAME –

THE Zambia Police Service will conduct random searches on all persons and motor vehicles going into Samfya District to prevent the use of offensive weapons in the run up to the August 6 Bangweulu parliamentary by-election.
Check points will be mounted at various points on the highway leading to the district by police officers who have been directed to confiscate any guns or machetes that will turn up during the searches.
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani said the service did not want a repeat of the electoral violence witnessed in Mulobezi, where political party cardres used offensive weapons like machetes and guns.
Ms Libongani said this when she addressed a group of officers already deployed in Samfya yesterday and ordered them to execute their duties diligently, without bias.
“While an individual has the right to protect themselves, no one should overstep boundaries as this is detrimental to the liberty of others,” she said.
She advised the people involved in campaigns to report grievances to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands.
She called on officers in the area to refer matters that they found to be beyond their realm to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) conflict resolution committee.
The presence of police officers was meant to instill confidence in the public and the State troopers needed to be ready to deal with all complaints.
“We want a change in the way this election is policed. We want to show our presence not to intimidate but to deliver a violence free election,” she said.
Officers have been drawn from units like Kamfinsa in Kitwe to supplement the local force.
The by-election is being contested by five political parties and one independent candidate.
Campaigns which started on a low note after filing in of nomination papers by the various candidates are expected to heat up this week as more campaign groups from various political parties arrive in Samfya.

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