Let's vote wisely

Let's vote wisely
By Editor
Friday September 12, 2008 [04:00]

As we approach the October 30 presidential by-election, we must express concern regarding intolerance, intimidation and lust for power. We call upon the leadership, cadres and supporters of all political parties that are going to field candidates in this by-election to avoid lies, distortions and malice. Responsible politics demands truth, honesty and fairness. We need to remember the lesson: “The truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).

In the present atmosphere of fierce competition and character assassination, we remind the nation of the noble goals of political activity. Politics should aim at the promotion of the common good and the service of all the people.

We read in the scriptures that “the Son of Man himself came not to be served by to serve” (Mk 10:42). Political debates should concentrate on the vision to improve the life of the nation rather than on personality issues.

But in saying this, we are not saying the character of the candidates is not an issue or should not be an issue. The character of candidates is a very important issue in any serious election. We say this because our people have a divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, we mean the characters and conduct of those who seek to rule them or those who rule them.

If a candidate has a record of dishonesty, selfishness, greed and vanity, the electorate needs to know this. If a candidate has a criminal record, that record should be part of the issues about his candidature and his suitability for public office. If a candidate had crooked someone, had stolen money from someone, that record should be part of his character and the voters need to know it. This is not being petty, this is not an unjustified personality issue.

It is important to know the characters of our candidates because this is the only way we will be able to vote wisely and only for people who are known for their honesty, ability, dedication and concern for the welfare of all. It is not hatred to expose the character, the record of a candidate in an election. How else are the voters going to know who to vote for if previous deeds and misdeeds are not brought out?

The purpose of any serious election is to choose the best candidate among all others. And doing so is not an expression of hatred for the candidate who loses as a result of his poor past record of conduct and performance.

There is need for understanding, dialogue and reconciliation before, during and after these presidential by-elections elections. Reconciliation should be a daily thing and not a one-off activity. We should recall the teaching of Christ on this score: “If you are bringing your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go and be reconciled with your brother first and then come back and present your gift” (Mt 5:23-24). “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done” (Mt 6:14-15).

We can never support the principle of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. If such a principle were applied, strife would never end.
More time should be spent on seeking ways and means to improve the quality of life of our people and all reconciliations, all our political activities should be aimed at that.

There is no peace without reconciliation. It is said that Christ is our peace because he has reconciled us to God. That reconciliation continues daily in the life of each one of us through our love of God and one another.

Those seeking political office, leadership positions are being asked to be the channels of Christ’s peace in our country and to our people. That is their vocation. And the challenge of the Christian code: “Love one another; forgive one another as God has forgiven you in Christ; bear one another’s burdens; blessed are the peacemakers…”

And let us not forget that there will be no peace in our country if there is no justice because the two are said to be twin sisters. Justice demands that all have a right to share in the management of the affairs of our country and indeed in its wealth. We should all have some share in political aspirations, in government services, in available material resources and so on and so forth.

The use of unjust means of any form, by anyone, is against justice. To be engaged in bribery, corruption and like things is injustice.
The word “peace” has become the most spoken word in our country today. Many extol our country as a peaceful nation and we are every day being urged to maintain and safeguard this peace. We all want and long for peace. The future of our country and the happiness of our people will depend on the kind of peace we reach.

There is the peace of death. There is the peace one experiences after the total extermination of one’s enemies. There is the peace in which no guns are fired but in which people are trodden underfoot, despised, exploited, discriminated against and very unhappy.

There is the peace in which people do not talk to one another – the peace of the dumb, because people hate and fear one another, because there is selfishness, greed, pride and so many other walls they have built between themselves. None of them is peace, none can be called peace. What we need is that peace that is worthy of human beings, and enjoyed by everyone.

No human being will exert one’s energies for meaningless peace. What kind of peace does Zambia need today? Not just any peace, but the kind of peace for which people are prepared to struggle, to exert their energies and even to die.

There can be no meaningful peace in our country if dishonest people, people with very limited abilities, people without dedication and people with little concern for the welfare of all are allowed to manipulate their way into the top political offices of our country. It shouldn’t be the shrewd and inept that win elections to public office but the honest and most able, the most meritorious that are voted into public office.

Where merit prevails, justice can be said to be done and peace stands a better chance of reigning. And for this reason, among others, we urge all our people to exercise their right to vote carefully and only vote for those who are the most honest, the most able, the most dedicated and the most caring of the candidates before them.