ARMY CAN ASSIST IN ELECTION SECURITY, CSOS CLARIFY

 By BARNABAS ZULU

THE Consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for Good Governance and Constitutionalism has defended the involvement of the Zambia Army in election security operations, stating that there is no law prohibiting the military from working alongside the Zambia Police Service during elections.

In a statement yesterday, Consortium Secretary Arthur Muyunda said assertions that the army’s presence during elections is unlawful or automatically threatens the integrity of the electoral process are not supported by the Constitution or existing laws.

Mr Muyunda said the Zambia Army’s participation in election security is constitutionally grounded and is intended to complement, rather than replace, the role of the police.

“The Constitution establishes the Defence Force as a lawful institution of the state operating under civilian authority, with the President serving as Commander-in-Chief.

While the Zambia Police Service bears primary responsibility for maintaining law and order, nothing in the Constitution or applicable laws prevents the Defence Force from providing lawful operational support where circumstances require,” he said.

He cited a 2022 study conducted by researchers from the University of Zambia and the Zambia Army, which found that the army’s involvement in electoral security contributes to peaceful elections, protection of citizens and property, and public confidence in the electoral process.

Mr Muyunda noted that elections are the primary means through which citizens exercise sovereign power and that protecting conditions that allow people to vote freely and peacefully is consistent with the Defence Force’s broader constitutional duty to safeguard national sovereignty.

He stressed that concerns over voter intimidation, interference in electoral activities or abuse of authority should be addressed through evidence-based legal processes rather than assumptions about the military’s presence.

“Such conduct, if proven, would be unacceptable regardless of which institution is involved. However, it is legally incorrect to presume that cooperation between the Zambia Army and the Zambia Police Service is, by itself, unconstitutional or incompatible with democratic elections,” he said.

The consortium also pointed to the 2016 and 2021 general elections, during which the army and police jointly maintained peace and public order without any established nationwide pattern of unlawful interference in the electoral process.

It urged political parties, civil society organisations, commentators and the public to ensure discussions on electoral security are guided by constitutional principles, facts and evidence rather than speculation that could undermine confidence in public institutions.