THE Embassies and High Commissions of Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America accredited to Zambia have called on political parties and their supporters to respect the will of the people regardless of the election outcome.

In a joint statement, Wednesday, the Embassies and High Commissions noted that there were winners and losers in democratic elections.

They urged all political parties to follow established constitutional procedures in the spirit of peace and unity.

They also welcomed the government’s decision to invite international observers.

“We welcome the Zambian Government’s decision to invite international observers to the upcoming elections. National and international observers play a vital role in democratic elections in developed and developing countries around the world. We look forward to observers being able to carry out their responsibilities accordingly including through normal channels of communication. It is the nature of democratic elections that there are winners and losers. Whatever the outcome of the poll, we request all parties and their supporters to respect the will of the Zambian people and follow established constitutional procedures, in the spirit of peace and unity and the longstanding ethos of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’,” the statement read.

The Embassies and High Commissions also called on Zambians to ensure a voting process free of violence.

“As longtime friends of Zambia and fellow democracies, we support transparent, peaceful, and credible general elections in Zambia, in accordance with global standards. Free participation in democratic elections is a civic duty we value, and we support the right of all Zambians to shape their own future. On the eve of the 12 August poll, we call on all Zambians to ensure a voting process free of violence. We mourn all lives that have been lost and look to all Zambians to remain committed to the principles of rule of law and respect for human rights, as enshrined in the Zambian constitution,” read the statement.