The Electoral Commission of Zambia has indefinitely suspended all campaign activities for the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity in Kaputa Constituency, following violence that resulted in the death of a member of another political party.
Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro announced the suspension in a statement dated July 3, saying the decision follows NRPUP’s alleged involvement in the violent incident and will remain in force pending a full Commission review, with no timeline yet given for its conclusion. ECZ separately flagged a second fatal incident in Chivuna Village, Magoye East Constituency in Mazabuka District, which claimed the life of Stanley Sakala, saying it is awaiting a conclusive police report before deciding on any further action.
The Commission invoked its powers under the Electoral Process (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2026, warning that it will not hesitate to take further action against any party or candidate found in breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct as the August 13 election approaches.
NRPUP has pushed back sharply, with its lawyers issuing ECZ a three-hour ultimatum to reverse the suspension or face a High Court judicial review challenge. In a letter dated July 5, legal representatives Aongola & Company and Makebi Zulu Advocates argued that the Commission acted without following due process, bypassing the established Conflict Management and Resolution Committee and denying the party an opportunity to be heard before the suspension took effect. They contend the decision was unlawful, irrational and unconstitutional, and are seeking to have it quashed.
The suspension has also drawn scrutiny from civil society. The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has called on ECZ to apply its powers evenhandedly, noting that while the Commission acted swiftly in Kaputa, the separate Mazabuka fatality remains unresolved. The episode marks the clearest use yet of ECZ’s expanded 2026 enforcement powers, and is being closely watched as a test of how the Commission will handle escalating incidents of political violence in the campaign’s final weeks.
Sources: Lusaka Times — ECZ suspends campaign activities in Kaputa | The Zambian Observer — NRPUP challenges Kaputa campaign ban | The Zambian Observer — FODEP demands fairness from ECZ
