The Electoral Commission of Zambia has advised traditional leaders not to take sides during by-elections.
ECZ Commissioner Christopher Mushabati told over 37 traditional leaders in Kaoma ahead of next month’s Mangango parliamentary by-election.
Mushabati said incidences of traditional leaders being partisan during political events were embarrassing to the integrity of the traditional leadership.
He said that chiefs were expected to be above board and embrace all the political players as they headed subjects with different political persuasions.
Mushabati, who is a retired judge, advised the chiefs to lead by example by avoiding being used by politicians during elections.
Traditional leaders have often being used as political vessels by politicians who either promise them money or influence if they swing votes in the contestants’ favour.
Judge Mushabati said there were too many by-elections whose results were contested on account of a traditional leader having been caught issuing sentiments against one candidate over another.
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