12/08/2026
MESSAGE FROM THE SYNOD BISHOP OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF ZAMBIA AHEAD OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS
As the United Church of Zambia, we call upon all citizens to approach the forthcoming general elections with peace, wisdom, tolerance and a deep sense of responsibility. Elections are an important democratic process through which citizens exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders, but they should never become a source of division, violence or hatred.
We urge every eligible citizen to participate peacefully and responsibly by exercising their right to vote, respecting one another’s political choices, and rejecting violence, intimidation, misinformation and hate speech. We may belong to different political parties and hold different views, but we remain one people and one nation.
Let us remember that no political contest is worth destroying the peace and unity of our country. We therefore encourage citizens to put Zambia first, respect the electoral process and accept the outcome of the elections through lawful and democratic means.
To all political parties, candidates and their supporters, we appeal for restraint, maturity and statesmanship, particularly as we enter the final stage of the electoral process. Political leadership is fundamentally a responsibility to serve the people, not an entitlement to power at all costs.
We urge all political players to conduct themselves with dignity, respect their opponents, avoid inflammatory language, intimidation and violence, and allow citizens to make their choices freely. We further call upon all candidates to respect the institutions and processes established to manage our elections and to pursue any grievances through the appropriate legal and constitutional channels.
Winning an election should never be pursued at the expense of Zambia’s peace, unity and democratic values. Equally, losing an election should not be regarded as the end of one’s contribution to the nation.
As the United Church of Zambia, we pray that God will grant our nation wisdom, peace and responsible leadership. Let us all remember: Zambia is bigger than any political party, candidate or election. Let us protect the peace we have inherited and hand over a peaceful nation to the generations that will come after us.
Rev. F. Chulu
Synod Bishop
United Church of Zambia
Credit: Synod communications
