Aspiring candidates at different levels from various political parties gathered at Saint John’s Secondary School in Mongu District, to obtain nomination requirements ahead of the forthcoming August general elections.

Speaking during the briefing, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Information and Communication Technology Director, Collins Kachaka, said peaceful elections are key to strengthening the country’s democracy and promoting national unity.

Dr Kachaka said despite candidates belonging to different political parties, they remain one people with a shared responsibility of safeguarding peace before, during and after the elections.

He urged political players and their supporters to conduct campaigns in a mature and responsible manner by avoiding violence, hate speech and any form of provocation that has the potential to disrupt the electoral process.

And Western Province Electoral Officer, Nickson Nkwapu, said Zambia has continued to stand out as a beacon of peace and democracy in the Sub-Saharan African region due to the country’s long history of peaceful political transitions.