The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has called for the amendment of the Electoral code of conduct (ECC) to curb political violence that currently characterises elections.

AVAP executive director, Bonnie Tembo in an interview yesterday expressed concern at the increased violent activities being perpetuated by political parties during elections.

Mr Tembo, who was giving a post review analysis of the Solwezi Central by-election held on Thursday that was characterised by acts of violence and hooligansim, said measures needed to be put in place to fight against such vices as they undermined values and principals of democracy.

"Our appeal to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the political parties is that they realise the need to amend the electoral code of conduct in order to curb political violence being witnessed in elections," Mr Tembo said.

He urged political parties in Zambia to rally behind this cause as political violence had potential to dent the success the country had recorded in circles of democracy and good governance.

Mr Tembo, however, expressed satisfaction with the transparent manner voting and counting of ballot papers was conducted in the Solwezi election.

"The counting was done well in the polling stations where all monitors were present and I think there were high levels of transparency in counting," Mr Tembo said.

He said not withstanding the apathy and violence that characterised the Solwezi by-election both during the campaigns and voting, competition from political parties had been stiff.

Mr Tembo urged political parties to desist from importing youths into areas where elections were taking place as they were mostly the major cause of political violence that was witnessed in the just ended Solwezi by-election campaigns.