SPICE FM 91.1 Kabwe

WEATHER UPDATE: ⛈️🌩️🌧️

*ZAMBIA LUNCHTIME WEATHER REPORT: FRIDAY (19/06/2026)*
*FORECAST FOR THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING: FRIDAY (19/06/2026)*

*Northwestern, Western and Southern Provinces including the northern parts of Luapula and Northern Provinces:*
Partly cloudy, windy at times and warm to hot. Maximum temperature will range between 25°C and 30°C. The evening will be partly cloudy, windy and mild.
*Copperbelt, Muchinga, Eastern, Central and Lusaka Provinces including the southern parts of Luapula and Northern Provinces:*
Few clouds, windy at times and warm to hot. Maximum temperature will range between 25°C and 32°C. The evening will be mainly clear, windy and mild.
*LOWEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED TODAY FRIDAY (19/06/2026):*
Senanga 06°C, Kawambwa 07°C, Kafironda 09°C, Choma, Magoye, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), Serenje and Mpika10°C and Chinsali FTC 11°C.

*_Produced by the Zambia Meteorological Department,_*
*_Ministry of Green Economy and Environment._*

TONSE ALLIANCE REJECTS ECZ CAMPAIGN DIRECTIVE, DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL OF ADVISORY

The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance has rejected the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) recent directive seeking to introduce a centralized presidential campaign timetable, describing the move as unjustified and potentially detrimental to a free, fair and credible electoral process.

In a statement issued by Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Presidential Spokesperson KMG Chisanga, the alliance said it had learned through social media of the ECZ Advisory dated June 18, 2026, in which the Commission expressed concern over what it termed a lack of order in the manner presidential candidates are conducting their campaigns across the country.

The ECZ warned that the absence of a coordinated campaign framework could undermine the orderly management of the electoral process and become a source of conflict among political parties. Consequently, the Commission directed that all presidential candidates conclude their currently scheduled campaign programmes by June 19 and thereafter adhere to an official presidential campaign timetable to be developed and administered by the Commission.

However, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance has questioned both the basis and timing of the directive, arguing that the ECZ failed to identify any specific violations or breaches of campaign regulations committed by presidential candidates to warrant such action.

Chisanga said the alliance had conducted its campaign activities strictly within the guidelines and schedules previously issued by the electoral body. He noted that campaign teams had already been deployed to various parts of the country to prepare for visits by presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate.

According to the alliance, campaign preparations were undertaken in line with the official campaign period and had only been delayed earlier due to the mourning period following a bereavement in the Ngoni Royal Establishment.

The alliance further claimed that its campaign activities had previously been disrupted when President Hakainde Hichilema travelled to North-Western Province shortly after the Tonse Alliance publicly announced its campaign programme for the Copperbelt, North-Western and Central provinces.

Chisanga said campaign teams had already been dispatched to Eastern, Muchinga and Northern provinces in readiness for upcoming campaign tours and that recalling them to Lusaka on less than 24 hours’ notice would result in significant logistical challenges and financial losses.

The alliance has since called on the ECZ to withdraw the advisory and instead engage stakeholders more broadly before implementing measures that affect campaign operations.

It argued that consultations with political stakeholders could be conducted without requiring campaign teams to abandon activities already underway in various parts of the country.

The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance also expressed concern that the advisory had been issued at a time when President Hichilema, who is also the ruling party’s presidential candidate, was allegedly continuing to engage voters across the country without adhering to the same campaign restrictions.

The opposition alliance reiterated its earlier calls for the ECZ to maintain neutrality and independence in the administration of the electoral process, stressing that public confidence in the electoral body was critical to the credibility of the forthcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the alliance announced that its scheduled campaign programmes in Eastern, Muchinga and Northern provinces would proceed as planned. It added that presidential candidate Brian Mundubile would not attend the ECZ stakeholders’ meeting in person but would instead be represented by duly appointed electoral agents.

SPICE FM 91.1 Kabwe NEWS

ECZ WARNS OF CONFLICT RISKS, UNVEILS PLAN TO COORDINATE CAMPAIGNS AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FACE NEW RULES

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced new measures aimed at bringing order and coordination to presidential campaign activities ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections.

In a statement issued by Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro, the Commission expressed concern over what it described as a lack of order in the manner presidential candidates are currently conducting their campaigns across the country. The ECZ warned that the absence of a coordinated campaign framework has the potential to disrupt the orderly management of the electoral process and could become a source of conflict among political parties.

To promote fairness, orderly conduct, and effective management of campaign activities, the Commission has resolved that all presidential candidates may proceed with their already scheduled campaign programmes up to Friday, June 19, 2026.

Kasaro stated that thereafter, all presidential candidates will be required to conduct their campaigns strictly in accordance with an official Presidential Campaign Timetable that will be developed and administered by the Commission.

To facilitate the development of the timetable, the ECZ will convene a meeting with all presidential candidates on Monday, June 22, 2026. The agreed timetable will take effect immediately after the meeting and will guide all presidential campaign activities for the remainder of the campaign period.

The Commission disclosed that individual invitations will be issued to each of the 14 presidential candidates expected to attend the meeting. Political parties and candidates will be represented by their presidential candidate, Secretary General, and Election Agent or Chairperson for Elections.

Kasaro said the initiative is intended to safeguard order, fairness, and the integrity of the electoral process. He urged all presidential candidates and political parties to cooperate fully with the Commission as it implements the new campaign management framework.

The ECZ maintains that the move is necessary to ensure a peaceful, well-coordinated, and credible electoral process as the country prepares for the forthcoming general elections.

SPICE FM 91.1 Kabwe NEWS