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Zambia's police chief deploys thousands of policemen across the country on the eve of a closely contested election. This to ensure the aggressive rhetoric of the campaign doesn't spill into the streets and spoil Zambia's reputation as one of the most peaceful nations in Africa.
Police officers in Zambia were deployed in full force on Monday, on the eve of a tight election race for the country's presidency.
Incumbent president Rupiah Banda and nationalist opposition leader Michael Sata have been battling it out on the campaign trail, but Zambia's police Inspector-General says he's committed to making sure the battles stay off the streets.
[Francis Kabond, Police Inspector-General of Zambia]:
"The police will be there to protect them, they will protect every person to ensure that they vote without any hindrance or intimidation but to those that may want to cause confusion by breaking law and order through violence, we strongly warn them, the law will catch up with them. This is regardless of whom they may be."
An opinion poll published a week ago suggested Banda held a narrow lead over Sata.
But a number of undecided voters means an upset is still possible.
Zambia's currency in the last week suggests few investors are worried about violence disrupting the economy.
Zambian residents also say they hope for a peaceful election.
[Charles Fundanga, Lusaka Resident]:
"No fighting, no confusion, peace is what we stand for us Zambians. We don't want confusion, let's maintain this peace, we are one Zambia, one nation."
Mubanga Kalima, a lawyer, says it's important for Zambians to remain a peaceful nation.
[Mubanga Kalima, Lawyer]:
"I think Zambians should conduct themselves the way they have conducted themselves throughout the life time of Zambia, peacefully as always and careful about what they say to ensure that we maintain our name as one of the most peaceful nation in southern Africa."
Campaigning officially ended on Sunday to allow for a 24-hour cooling off period after six-weeks of mudslinging and rhetoric that occasionally touched on the growing clout of foreign mining firms, most notably from China.
Sata has been a vocal critic of Asian mining investment, but has recently toned it down, saying he would keep Zambia's strong ties with Beijing.
Banda's Movement for Multi-party Democracy, which has run the nation of 13 million since the end of one-party rule in 1991, claims most of its support in the countryside.
Sata's strength is in the capital, Lusaka, and the northern Copper Belt, where many people complain about receiving meager returns from more than five years of strong economic growth.
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Death and Injury from Pre-election Violence in Congoby NTDTV1,332 views
peace zambia ..peace!!!
moondear2000 5 months ago