The Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ says no one has authority to ban political campaigns in any part of the country.
ECZ Public Relations Officer, Chris Akufuna says that the constitution guarantees political parties to exercise their right to freedom of association.
Mr. Akufuna says that ECZ has set up District Conflict Management Committees to deal with any queries and complaints that people might have on how campaigns are being conducted.
He was responding to a decision by Paramount Chief Mpezeni to ban politicians from holding campaigns in Ngoni land without his authority and that of his subordinate chiefs.
Mr. Akufuna says that the paramount chief should engage the district conflict management committee if he feels offended by how campaigns are being conducted.
Speaking when he addressed over 100 village headmen and indunas at his Ephendukeni palace on Tuesday, Paramount Chief Mpezeni said that he was forced to take such a decision because of lack of respect for traditional leaders exhibited by some politicians
Chief Mpezeni noted that some politicians have a tendency of insulting chiefs whenever they hold political meetings, a move he described as painful.
Meanwhile the Patriotic Front PF Party is guaranteed of holding five local government seats in Eastern Province.
This is because their candidates in five wards went through unopposed during filing in of nomination papers conducted last week.
PF Provincial Chairperson Andrew Lubusha has told Breeze News that two seats in Lundazi, two seats in Petauke and one seat in Katete district do not have candidates from other political parties.
Mr. Lubusha however, says that the ruling party will not contest three local government positions in Eastern Province.
He says that this is because of confusion which happened during filing in of nomination papers on Tuesday last week.
Mr. Lubusha says that the three seats which will not be contested by the ruling party are in Katete, Sinda and Lundazi districts.
He however, says that the ruling party has petitioned the case involving one seat in Milanzi Constituency in Katete because ECZ was to blame for the candidates’ failure to file in.
Yesterday ECZ revealed that there were some seats at local government level where some candidates have gone through unopposed.