Violent clashes on Wednesday between ruling and opposition party supporters in Zambia marred the campaign on the eve of crucial parliamentary by-elections, police said.
The ruling party and opposition supporters traded blows and stones after accusing each other of trying to rig the vote ahead of Thursday’s voting in four constituencies, police spokesperson Brenda Muntemba said.
Witnesses said some vehicles were smashed with stones while scores of people have sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
”We have not yet received the reports of how many people have been injured during the clashes,” Muntemba said.
”The main cause of the violence is the issuing of national registration cards, which both parties accuse each other of having an upper hand in the process,” Muntemba said.
In Zambia, voters have to produce national registration cards before presenting their voter’s cards and casting their ballots.
Political parties have been fighting to acquire replacement documents for their members who lost their cards.
The by-elections in Kaoma in Western province and Solwezi in North-Western province were called after the opposition United Party for National Development sacked its lawmakers for insurbordination.
The other by-elections in the northern Copperbelt province was called after the incumbent lawmaker from the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy died.
In Lukulu East, Western province, the Supreme Court nullified the polls because they were not free and fair. — Sapa-AFP