CCMG vs ECZ

Church group disputes ECZ's ban on PF regalia during Mfuwe campaigns.

By Francis Maingaila 

Lusakq, Zambia24 - (13-07-2025) - The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has strongly opposed the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)'s decision to bar the New Congress Party (NCP) from using Patriotic Front (PF) regalia during campaigns for the Mfuwe parliamentary by-election, describing the move as legally unfounded and a threat to democratic participation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, CCMG Programme Director Peter Mwanangombe argued that the ECZ’s interpretation of the law was flawed and lacked any legal basis in the Electoral Process Act.

“There is no provision in the Electoral Process Act that prohibits a political party—whether in an alliance or not—from using regalia belonging to another party during campaigns,” Mwanangombe said.

He cited Section 2 of the Act, which defines campaign material to include clothing and other items bearing symbols or images of a candidate. “This clearly includes party regalia, with no restriction on who can wear it,” he added.

Mwanangombe also referenced Sections 29(3) and 29(4), which regulate the distribution of campaign materials, noting that nothing in those provisions forbids the use of such materials by alliance partners.

He emphasized that political coalitions are a well-established part of Zambia’s electoral environment and that it is standard practice for alliance members to campaign in their own regalia in support of a common candidate.

“In the case of the Tonse Alliance, to which the NCP belongs, its members have every right to wear their respective party symbols as a sign of unity,” he stated.

Mwanangombe called on the ECZ to rescind its directive, warning that it undermines the freedoms of expression and association guaranteed under Zambia’s democratic framework.

“CCMG urges the Commission to promote, not restrict, alliance-building and democratic participation,” he said.

The ECZ had instructed the NCP to stop using PF regalia and to use its own campaign materials during the Mfuwe by-election—a move CCMG now challenges as a dangerous precedent that could damage coalition politics in future elections.