Govt Warns: Misinformation Treatens Peaceful Elections

Government has warned that the spread of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and inflammatory messages, particularly on social media, poses a serious threat to peaceful elections ahead of the 13 August General Election.

Speaking during the National Day of Peace Prayers and the launch of the Faith-Led Peace Building Initiative, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa urged Zambians to reject false information, tribalism and divisive rhetoric.

Mr. Kangwa said elections should be viewed as a constitutional process through which citizens peacefully choose their leaders, and not as contests between enemies.

"One of the greatest threats to peaceful elections today is the spread of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and inflammatory messages, particularly through social media. I therefore appeal to all citizens to verify information before sharing it and to use digital platforms responsibly," he said.

Meanwhile, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said peaceful elections are the responsibility of every stakeholder, not just the electoral body.

She called on political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns, saying campaigns should present ideas and solutions rather than insults or violence.

Ms. Zaloumis also urged the media, civil society organisations, faith-based groups and citizens to play their part in promoting peaceful, credible and democratic elections.