Zambian president names commission to probe election violence

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has named a 15-member Commission of Inquiry to probe the causes of political violence before and after the August 11 general elections, his office has said in a statement.

During his inauguration speech after being declared winner of the election, Lungu had promised to constitute a Commission of Inquiry to look at the causes of electoral violence.

Presidential spokesperson Amos Chanda said the Commission of Inquiry would be headed by Justice Munalula Lisimba.

The statement noted that the Commission will examine to what extent the pre-election violence could have influenced the voting patterns as well as the role of political parties, traditional leaders and the media in shaping voting patterns and instigation of violence among others.

The Commission has been tasked to submit its report to the Zambian leader within 120 days from the date of appointment, he added.

Zambia witnessed unprecedented violence in the run-up to and after the elections. Endit