LUSAKA - State House has called on Zambians to exercise their democratic right to choose their leaders while urging political leaders to uphold peace, tolerance and honesty ahead of the August 13 General Election.
In a press release issued on August 11, 2026, State House said the culture of electoral violence, intimidation and hate speech had been overwhelmingly rejected by Zambians in the past.
It said peace must now be protected through the final hours of the electoral process.
State House stressed that every human life is precious and that no election, political contest, disagreement or personal interest is worth a single life.
It said incitement to kill is not political rhetoric that can be shrugged off, adding that words amounting to criminal incitement carry serious consequences.
The statement comes in the wake of events surrounding former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu and Tonse Alliance President Brian Mundubile.
State House said remarks of extraordinary seriousness were initially blamed on Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, it said the explanation then shifted, with the leaders having been heard publicly on each other, according to the statement.
State House said an AI machine allegedly did or did not generate the remarks, while Mr. Mpundu openly rebuked his own alliance president days before the national vote.
"Zambians are watching a leadership that cannot give one straight answer about language touching on human life. Artificial intelligence did not put those words on the national stage. Leaders did. And artificial intelligence cannot take responsibility. Only leaders can do that," the statement said.
State House said this was not the moment for political games or contradictory explanations, but rather a time for every political leader, without exception and regardless of party, to lower the temperature, reject inflammatory language unequivocally and ensure that no citizen is placed in danger for the sake of political power.
"The 2026 election will be peaceful, because the Zambian people have chosen peace. Zambia is bigger than any candidate, any party and any election. Let us protect our peace and, above all, protect human life," State House said.
Source: State House | By: Clayson Hamasaka