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Zambian general election, 2016: Difference between revisions
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→Violence and incidents
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* Violent outbreaks occurred in [[Lusaka]] after the government made the decision to suspend the operations of [[The Post (Zambia)|''The Post'']] newspaper (one of the few independent newspapers in the country) on 10 June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/article/zambia-government-suspends-election-campaigns|title=Zambia: Government Suspends Election Campaigns {{!}} Freedom House|website=freedomhouse.org|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> As a result of the violence, the Election Commission suspended campaigning in Lusaka and [[Namwala]] for ten days, and the ban on the newspaper was lifted on 18 July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.africareview.com/news/Zambia-electoral-body-lifts-campaign-ban/979180-3301036-120v6rb/index.html|title=Zambia poll agency lifts campaign ban|language=en-UK|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> However, on 23 June the government started taking action against ''The Post'' for unpaid taxes of around $6 million; the newspaper denied the claim saying the issue was still being discussed in court. The opposition accused the government of silencing the media to reduce their coverage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/28/zambia-accused-of-attacking-press-freedom-as-newspaper-is-closed/|title=Zambia accused of attacking press freedom as newspaper is closed and editor jailed|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-politics-idUSKCN0Z91ZI|title=Opposition leader says Zambia unlikely to have free elections|date=2016-06-23|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> | * Violent outbreaks occurred in [[Lusaka]] after the government made the decision to suspend the operations of [[The Post (Zambia)|''The Post'']] newspaper (one of the few independent newspapers in the country) on 10 June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/article/zambia-government-suspends-election-campaigns|title=Zambia: Government Suspends Election Campaigns {{!}} Freedom House|website=freedomhouse.org|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> As a result of the violence, the Election Commission suspended campaigning in Lusaka and [[Namwala]] for ten days, and the ban on the newspaper was lifted on 18 July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.africareview.com/news/Zambia-electoral-body-lifts-campaign-ban/979180-3301036-120v6rb/index.html|title=Zambia poll agency lifts campaign ban|language=en-UK|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> However, on 23 June the government started taking action against ''The Post'' for unpaid taxes of around $6 million; the newspaper denied the claim saying the issue was still being discussed in court. The opposition accused the government of silencing the media to reduce their coverage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/28/zambia-accused-of-attacking-press-freedom-as-newspaper-is-closed/|title=Zambia accused of attacking press freedom as newspaper is closed and editor jailed|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-politics-idUSKCN0Z91ZI|title=Opposition leader says Zambia unlikely to have free elections|date=2016-06-23|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> | ||
[[File:UPND-cadres-along-Cairo-road-as-they-march-to-Chawama.png|thumb|right|[[UPND]] cadres along [[Cairo Road]] as they marched to [[Chawama]].]] | [[File:UPND-cadres-along-Cairo-road-as-they-march-to-Chawama.png|thumb|right|[[UPND]] cadres along [[Cairo Road]] as they marched to [[Chawama]].]] | ||
* On 8 July 2016, police in [[Lusaka]] killed one [[UPND]] female supporter after they ambushed a group of supporters that were marching on the [[Central Business District]] after Police cancelled a planned rally in [[Chawama]]. [[Mapenzi Chibulu]] was pronounced dead on arrival at the [[University Teaching Hospital]] (UTH) and another male UPND cadre was seriously injured and admitted to UTH. | |||
* On 9 July 2016, the [[Electoral Commission of Zambia]] (ECZ) suspended suspended campaigns in [[Lusaka]] and [[Namwala]] districts for 10 days due to the rise in political violence in some districts which resulted in injury, loss of life and property. During the suspension, there was no public rallies, meetings, processions or door to door campaigns. All branded campaign motor vehicles in Lusaka and Namwala Districts were parked and were not allowed to be used for any purpose. The suspension was lifted on 18 July 2016.<ref name=LTviolence>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/07/09/suspension-campaigns-lusaka-namwala-districts/ ECZ suspends campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala districts] [[LusakaTimes]], 9 July 2016</ref> | * On 9 July 2016, the [[Electoral Commission of Zambia]] (ECZ) suspended suspended campaigns in [[Lusaka]] and [[Namwala]] districts for 10 days due to the rise in political violence in some districts which resulted in injury, loss of life and property. During the suspension, there was no public rallies, meetings, processions or door to door campaigns. All branded campaign motor vehicles in Lusaka and Namwala Districts were parked and were not allowed to be used for any purpose. The suspension was lifted on 18 July 2016.<ref name=LTviolence>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/07/09/suspension-campaigns-lusaka-namwala-districts/ ECZ suspends campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala districts] [[LusakaTimes]], 9 July 2016</ref> | ||
*On 20 July [[Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba]], the vice president of the [[UPND]], was arrested along with several party officials with the accusation that they were trying to start a private militia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/zambian-opposition-leaders-jailed-as-elections-near/a-19132564|title=Zambian opposition leaders jailed as elections near|last=(www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche Welle|website=DW.COM|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> The police raided his house and found petrol bombs, machetes and spears. The opposition denied the claims that the weapons were planted there after the arrest. The police raided the house following alleged political poster vandals hiding in the house.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36845136|title=Zambia police tear gas opposition leader Mwamba's home - BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> A total of 28 people were arrested in the raid.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-politics-idUSKCN1001QS|title=Zambia police arrest 28 in raid on opposition official's home|date=2016-07-20|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> | *On 20 July [[Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba]], the vice president of the [[UPND]], was arrested along with several party officials with the accusation that they were trying to start a private militia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/zambian-opposition-leaders-jailed-as-elections-near/a-19132564|title=Zambian opposition leaders jailed as elections near|last=(www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche Welle|website=DW.COM|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> The police raided his house and found petrol bombs, machetes and spears. The opposition denied the claims that the weapons were planted there after the arrest. The police raided the house following alleged political poster vandals hiding in the house.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36845136|title=Zambia police tear gas opposition leader Mwamba's home - BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> A total of 28 people were arrested in the raid.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-politics-idUSKCN1001QS|title=Zambia police arrest 28 in raid on opposition official's home|date=2016-07-20|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref> | ||
