United for Peaceful Elections

Interfaith consortium launches nationwide peace, voter education and election monitoring initiative as religious and civic leaders urge Zambians to reject violence and safeguard democracy ahead of the August 13 polls.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 — 24-07-2026 — An interfaith consortium has launched a nationwide peace initiative aimed at promoting responsible participation, voter education and credible elections ahead of Zambia’s August 13, 2026 general elections.

The Consortium for Peaceful Elections 2026, comprising the Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Zambia, Zambia National Muslim Community Association (ZANAMACA), Zambia Reconstruction Organisation, Zambia Monitoring and Reporting Agency (ZAMRA) and other interfaith partners, said the initiative would focus on preventing electoral violence and strengthening public confidence in the democratic process.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Grand Mufti Assadullah, representing the Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia, said the consortium was established to promote peace, responsible participation and dignified conduct among citizens before, during and after the elections.

He said the initiative was responding to the need for structured voter education, professional election monitoring and community-based peacebuilding to ensure the electoral process is conducted without violence, intimidation, misinformation or political manipulation.

Grand Mufti Assadullah said the consortium would train and deploy election monitors across communities, selected public spaces and monitoring centres countrywide.

He explained that the monitors would be trained in electoral principles, conflict prevention, professional conduct, neutrality, voter education and community engagement.

He said the initiative would complement the work of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) by helping strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

The consortium will also conduct public outreach campaigns aimed at encouraging peaceful participation, respect for electoral institutions and the use of lawful channels to resolve disputes.

Grand Mufti Assadullah emphasised that the initiative was non-partisan and would not influence citizens on who they should vote for.

“We do not tell voters who to vote for. We encourage every eligible citizen to exercise their democratic right and participate in choosing national leadership,” he said.

The consortium further announced plans to deploy accredited election observers across the country to monitor polling stations and assess the conduct of elections against Zambia’s laws and international democratic standards.

Grand Mufti Assadullah disclosed that the group had already recruited 30 provincial coordinators and 232 district coordinators as part of preparations to establish a nationwide monitoring structure.

The initiative targets establishing a presence in all 13,529 polling stations across the country.

He also revealed that the consortium plans to conduct a Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) during the presidential election as an independent mechanism to verify official results announced by the ECZ.

Grand Mufti Assadullah said the PVT would not replace the mandate of the electoral body but would serve as an additional transparency measure aimed at enhancing public trust in the election outcome.

He called on cooperating partners, diplomatic missions, development agencies and the private sector to support the initiative through financial and logistical assistance for training, transportation, communication and community outreach activities.

Grand Mufti Assadullah urged voters, political parties, security agencies and the media to uphold peace, tolerance and respect for the rule of law before, during and after the elections.

He said credible elections remained the foundation of a stable and prosperous Zambia, adding that the consortium was committed to working with all democratic stakeholders to safeguard national unity.

Peace Requires Collective Action

Meanwhile, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Secretary General Rev. Rudolf Faerber has called on Zambians to actively invest in peace, warning that peace cannot be taken for granted but must be continuously protected.

Speaking during the same engagement, Rev. Faerber said lasting peace requires deliberate efforts from individuals, communities, institutions and political actors through cooperation, respect and responsibility.

He said peace, freedom and justice form the foundation of a stable society, but these values can only thrive when citizens work together to prevent conflict and promote understanding.

“Peace is not something which you can say is guaranteed forever. It has to be maintained. We actually have to invest in peace,” Rev. Faerber said.

He identified key pillars necessary for sustaining peace, including cooperation among communities and institutions, economic inclusion, mutual prosperity and universal participation in national affairs.

Rev. Faerber said an inclusive society where every citizen has an opportunity to participate helps reduce tensions and strengthens national unity.

He stressed the importance of respect, responsibility and ethical conduct, particularly during the electoral period, saying peaceful elections require commitment before, during and after voting.

“The emphasis is on non-violence, tolerance, unity, informed participation of both young people and communities, and respect for electoral institutions and procedures,” he said.

Rev. Faerber warned that the loss of peace carries serious consequences for societies, saying conflict often results in suffering and instability.

“What is the price for peace? It is priceless, but we all know that the absence of peace brings intense human suffering,” he said.

He encouraged citizens to begin promoting peace at an individual level, saying peaceful communities are built by people who embrace tolerance, respect and understanding.

“Peace begins with me, with myself, then with the community and relationships we build. We need to remind ourselves that everybody should have a peaceful mind and become a peaceful brother and sister,” he said.

Preventing Conflict Before It Starts

For his part, ZAMRA founder and Chief Executive Officer Eward Nsama said the consortium’s approach was focused on preventing electoral violence before it occurs rather than responding after damage has already been caused.

Nsama said electoral monitoring is an activity-based process that covers all stages of the electoral cycle, including the pre-election period, voting day and post-election activities.

“People usually talk about conflict resolution, but you are resolving a conflict after lives have already been lost and property has been destroyed. As a consortium, we want to focus on conflict prevention,” ZAMRA said.

The organisation urged political players and citizens to reject violence, including attacks on opponents and actions that create divisions based on political differences.

ZAMRA said political disagreements should not destroy relationships among citizens because people supporting different political parties remain neighbours, friends and members of the same communities beyond elections.

The organisation said it was developing peace messages that would be shared through various platforms, including markets, with support from market associations.

ZAMRA disclosed that it had recruited provincial and district coordinators as part of its election monitoring framework and was preparing to orient about 15,000 polling day monitors who will participate in observing electoral activities.

Markets and Citizens Key to Peace

Meanwhile, ZANAMACA President Mupila Kameya said peace should be viewed as a responsibility involving every person living in Zambia, including citizens, foreign nationals and visitors.

Kameya said Zambia’s position as a landlocked country makes peace important not only for its citizens but also for neighbouring countries that depend on Zambia as a transit route.

“When there is no peace in this country, it means all the countries are affected because Zambia is a bridge. We have many people entering and leaving this country, and they should continue doing so peacefully,” he said.

He said the peace campaign targets political leaders, communities, markets, government institutions, corporate partners and the private sector because everyone has a role in protecting stability.

Kameya highlighted the influence of marketeers in elections, saying markets are key spaces where politicians engage voters because of their connection with communities.

“Each time there are elections, we see many politicians coming to our markets because they know that is where they can find the people. We are the people who make governments and, if I can use that word, we are also the people who move governments,” he said.

However, he urged citizens to carefully examine candidates’ messages, manifestos and leadership qualities before voting.

He said voters should consider what candidates can offer their communities instead of basing decisions solely on political affiliations.

“What kind of a person is this? What is this person talking about? What does this person who wants to be an MP or President have to offer my community? Those are questions we must all be asking ourselves,” Kameya said.

Spiritual Leaders Call for Wisdom

Also speaking during the engagement, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre Spiritual Director Swami Divyabodhananda called for peaceful elections, urging citizens to embrace knowledge, tolerance and unity.

He said his experience observing elections in India had shown him that democracy is strengthened when citizens participate responsibly and respect differing views.

“As a spiritual director, I will pray to God to give peace. Elections should be conducted peacefully, and people should have the knowledge and wisdom to make the right decisions,” he said.

Swami Divyabodhananda said peace exists through divine guidance, harmony with nature and peaceful human relationships, adding that many conflicts arise from misunderstandings and intolerance.

“There are many problems created by human beings because of misunderstandings and differences. We should pray for knowledge, wisdom and peaceful elections in Zambia,” he said.

Reflecting on his time in Zambia, he said the country has continued to demonstrate its reputation as one of Africa’s peaceful nations.

“When I came to Zambia almost three years ago, before coming here I heard that Zambia is a peaceful country in Africa. Since I arrived, I have experienced peace wherever I go — peaceful people, a peaceful environment and a peaceful nation,” he said.

He expressed hope that Zambia would maintain its culture of peace and conduct the 2026 general elections in an atmosphere of harmony, tolerance and unity.