Political Firestorm: Zambian Polls Rocked by 'Kill or Be Killed' Declaration and Ambassador's Arrest

Recent political developments in Zambia have seen a series of detentions and a contentious debate surrounding electoral procedures. Officers from the Zambia Police Service recently stormed the Media Centre at Longacres to apprehend Ambassador Martha Lungu Mwitumwa, a former Zambian diplomat who previously served as Zambia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and Vienna. Amb. Mwitumwa had been actively involved with the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance campaign team and its administration.

Beyond Amb. Mwitumwa, police also detained several other individuals. These included Mundubile’s blogger Hannah Isreal Katontoka, along with other bloggers such as Abraham Rooney Kapya and Zubi, who were detained in Mongu. The crackdown extended to the arts community, with popular artists like Moses Ng’andwe (known as Chester), Felix Mangani Phiri (Felix Ndangeni Inshila), and comedian Winston Ngosa (IDC Light Comedy) also being taken into custody. Additionally, over 20 members of a security team were detained. It was understood that the police intended to detain the entire campaign team in Livingstone, but the trip was cancelled at the last minute due to security concerns and fears of organized violence.

Adding to the political friction, a significant controversy has erupted regarding the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)’s clarification on valid ballot paper markings. Mpundu voiced strong opposition to the ECZ’s stance, which stated that voters could use a tick, an 'X', or any other single mark to indicate their preferred candidate. Mpundu declared a readiness to die or even kill, emphasizing the high stakes of the upcoming election and expressing fears for his life should electoral integrity be compromised.

Mpundu particularly criticized the ECZ's position on allowing ticks, arguing that the traditional method of voting in Zambia has always been through an 'X'. He questioned the lack of consultation with stakeholders before this change was communicated, maintaining that voting should proceed as it has for years, with only a cross sign. He further contended that if the ECZ wished to introduce ticking, it should have been incorporated into amendments to the Electoral Process Act. Mpundu suggested that such an “alien practice” could lead people to insinuate the existence of pre-marked ballots that have already been ticked, urging voters to reject this method.

In response to these concerns, ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro clarified during a stakeholder engagement that an 'X' is not the exclusive acceptable mark. Kasaro affirmed that a tick, an 'X', or a dash is valid, provided it is contained within the designated space for the chosen candidate. He cautioned voters against making multiple marks on a ballot paper, as this could lead to its rejection. Kasaro also advised voters not to sign, write their names, or put their initials on ballot papers, reinforcing the importance of proper ballot marking for a fair electoral process.