Maravi

The choice is ours

The choice is ours
By Editor
Thursday September 11, 2008 [04:00]

Now that the presidential by-election day has been announced, October 30, we are conscious of the crucial role which each individual citizen should play in choosing the leader who will help create the Zambia we want to live in.

We remind you that voting is not only your right, but rather your duty. If you withhold your vote, Zambians run a risk of getting into the office of president a person who has no national interests at heart and who is going to jeopardise the future of your children. Exercise your right therefore and take up your citizen duty.

Ensure that your voting documents are in order. If you haven’t registered, ensure that you register and vote for the right persons. You must vote for a candidate of integrity regardless of the region he or she comes from, his or her tribe, language or political affiliation. Zambia needs patriotic leaders; leaders who place national interest before personal ambitions.

The neglect of the duty of participating in the choice of leaders brings catastrophic results to the nation. It is a great mistake to shun this responsibility. And every citizen is called upon to play his or her part conscientiously. Those with leadership gifts should present themselves and be ready to contest and serve the people in accepting office as a trust and service to the people and not as a stepping-stone for enriching themselves.

All citizens who have reached the voting age should register and participate in electing a president who has the necessary qualities.

It should be understood that neglecting of participating in the voting and in the election of good leaders allows unworthy candidates to take leadership positions and brings disharmony in our country. To neglect to vote is to lose a person’s right and the nation’s right.

Our political responsibility is not limited to voting and electing leaders but also to assisting them, and when necessary to criticise them constructively.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that political rights consist in the capacity of private citizens to participate in the government. They exist for the public good and they are not strictly rights but privileges.

The most important political right or privilege is the vote. Today the vote is a serious duty. Whether a nation will have good or bad laws, an upright or inefficient administration depends on voters. A person who is able to vote but never votes is guilty of a serious omission. Citizens who do not care for the duty of voting are an easy prey to tyranny.

This imperative duty must be fulfilled carefully and you must choose wisely people who will take the direction of civil affairs. On the other hand, if a person has received the necessary talent by the favour of God, that person would fail in one’s duty for selfish motives if the person refused to take one’s share in public life and affairs. Any person who is qualified to become a ruler or leader is guilty if he or she refuses the task.

The apathy of potential leaders can bring anarchy to the country, by leaving all the responsibility to inefficient and unworthy people. You have rights and duties as citizens and the love of your country urges you to act accordingly in all justice and charity.

The voters should use their votes for the good of Zambia, as opposed to the good of a particular political party, group or individual; they should vote for a candidate who has proved himself or herself accountable to the electorate, for the common good.

The voters should choose a candidate who is courageous in defending the truth and justice for all, who is completely honest in fulfilling public and private responsibilities; they must use their votes to make sure that the right person is elected. Not to vote may result in the wrong person being elected. If one cannot in good conscience vote for a candidate that meets the required standards, one should not vote that candidate whatever the consequences. State house should not be occupied by an individual who will let us down morally and intellectually.

Voters should vote according to their conscience, in accordance with the highest human values without allowing themselves to be pressured or dictated to by bribes, threats, self-interest and so on and so forth.

Political leaders would make a positive contribution to the holding of a free and fair presidential by-election if they would address themselves to the real issues so that the voters could judge ideas they have on problems that really matter – cost of living, unemployment, corruption, poor services in education, health, government offices and so on and so forth.

We urge political leaders to reject violence in the strongest terms. They should respect truth and their political opponents. They should learn to be tolerant with people who have different political opinions. There are several options in governing a country, and all have a right to express their opinions.

We also urge them to educate their followers to be tolerant. It is only in that way that, after the elections, Zambia will remain united and peaceful. There should be no talk of revenge. Let them set an example which will win the respect of the whole world. Let everyone involved have in their hearts the desire that all will benefit and not just the party and supporters of the person who wins.

This presidential by-election will provide all Zambians with a unique opportunity to show their political maturity and their sincere aspiration for peace and harmony anchored in justice.

Equal opportunities should be given to all the candidates in the political campaign. All should be accorded the liberty and afforded adequate security to hold their rallies. And the use of state-owned and government controlled media has to be opened up to all without discrimination.

The campaign itself should avoid tribalistic outlook or sectionalism and look for the common good of all people and enter into sincere dialogue with other opponents, even in cases of political divergence.

Violence must be avoided because the electoral campaign should not be confused with a battlefield where the aim is to destroy the other person. Although Mbita Chitala says this is a life and death struggle, we believe it is nothing but a contest to serve, and not a fight for survival.

Real political victory lies on the ideals proposed, on the ethical values of the candidates, on the respect for the freedom of choice of all citizens, and not on any form of moral pressure or intimidation of political opponents or voters.

The right to vote bears fruits for the country when the people choose good leaders for presidency. And we, the people of Zambia, must do our duty as citizens by choosing a president who will serve the country with justice towards all.

We strongly advocate choosing a president who considers himself or herself accountable to the electorate, who considers public interest rather than his or her own, one who respects the rights of others with regard to businesses and property, who do not use their positions to amass property or wealth, unmindful of the many who have little or none; those of genuine integrity, moral courage in the cause of truth and justice and who are competent to do the job of president of the Republic.

Let us use our vote wisely and bravely. Our vote is a powerful weapon for unity, an instrument of liberty, justice and peace. On our voting, on the quality of it, the discernment behind it, depend the progress and peace of our country.

In casting one’s vote, a citizen should never be swayed by personal profit, tribal bias, but solely by consideration of which of the conflicting issues or candidates is better for the nation. Scrutinise the candidates and select your candidate strictly according to the good you think they can do. The interests of political parties should be kept subordinate to the public good.

Campaigns must be carried out in a peaceful and honest way, devoid of any violence and slander. All citizens must be guided by truth, integrity and justice.

It is necessary to remind all candidates and their followers that politics is for the good of the people and the country, and not for the political survival of any individual or party.

If the spirit of this primacy of the common good were to animate all the parties, all the candidates and all their followers and supporters, we would not witness wrangling, bickering and power-struggling which leaves the public dismayed and disheartened.

We should therefore get into these campaigns bearing in mind that they are being conducted in national interest for the good of all our people and they are not necessarily for the good of the candidates.

The outcome of these elections will depend on our choices, the choices we ourselves make. At the end of the day we should blame ourselves and take full responsibility if wrong leaders are chosen. Again, the choice is ours.

Labels: ELECTIONS

posted by MrK @ 7:09 AM