The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) wishes to remind all political parties, candidates and campaign teams in the Chawama Parliamentary by-election scheduled for 15th January, 2026, as well as those engaged in ongoing campaigns in Kasama, to strictly adhere to the law regarding the use of campaign regalia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Commission has noted with concern indications that some political parties and individuals who are not taking part in the Chawama Parliamentary by- election appear to be engaging in campaign activities using party regalia, symbols, or colours that do not belong to participating parties or candidates. Such conduct has the potential to confuse voters and undermine order in the electoral process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For avoidance of any doubt, Section 2 of the Electoral Process Act No 35 of 2026, defines \u201ccampaign material\u201d<\/strong> to mean party or candidate manifestos, advertisements, billboards, posters, t-shirts, cloth or other material depicting<\/strong> colours regarding symbols, and other designs of a party or pictorial images of a<\/strong> candidate.\u201d <\/strong>Further, Section 89 (1) (n) provides that \u201cA person shall not – being a<\/em><\/strong> candidate use a symbol in the course of an election other than the symbol<\/em><\/strong> registered with the Chief Electoral Officer in accordance with this Act and any<\/em><\/strong> regulations thereunder or, in the case of any other person, associate any<\/em><\/strong> candidate with any symbol in the course of an election other than the candidate’s<\/em><\/strong> registered symbol<\/em><\/strong>.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Accordingly, only political parties and candidates duly participating in the<\/strong> Chawama Parliamentary by-election and Kasama Mayoral by-election may use<\/strong> their registered party regalia, symbols and colours for campaign purposes in the<\/strong> constituency<\/strong>. Political parties or individuals who are not contesting the Chawama Parliamentary and Kasama Mayoral by-elections must refrain from using their campaign regalia or symbols in the by-election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This guidance is based on the legal provisions and is consistent with past practices of the Commission, including guidance issued ahead of previous elections to prevent voter confusion and promote electoral integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Commission therefore urges all political stakeholders in Chawama and Kasama to comply fully with the law and the Commission\u2019s guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n