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Electoral malpractices worry Catholic bishops

Electoral malpractices worry Catholic bishops
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Monday, November 10, 2008 8:02:06 AM

THE just-ended presidential election has left Zambia more divided than ever before, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) president Bishop George Lungu has said.
And Bishop Lungu said ZEC is getting extremely worried that electoral malpractices that were exposed by the media through its alertness during the election campaigns were increasingly being taken as normal.

Delivering a pastoral statement at Lusaka's Kapingila House yesterday on the October 30 presidential election, Bishop Lungu - who quoted from Mark 3: 24 - said a nation divided against itself could not stand.

“We have closely observed that the pattern or voting during the past few elections have been along very partisan, regional and tribal lines. We now appear more divided and polarised, as a nation, than we were before multi-partism was re-introduced in 1991. This state of affairs should not be allowed to continue,” Bishop Lungu said. “Our Lord Jesus tells in scripture that, a kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand. The just ended presidential election has left this country more divided than ever before. How can we be a nation if we are not united?”

Bishop Lungu, who was flanked by Kasama Archbishop James Spaita, Mongu's Bishop Paul Duffy and Solwezi's Dr Alick Banda, said it was saddening that the nation had not made any significant progress on the above concerns, which ZEC had continued to note in its pastoral letters and statements.

“Our concerns over the years are still as valid today as they were in 1996, 2001, 2006 and today. As Catholic bishops in Zambia, we will never stop speaking for our flock and asking difficulty questions of ourselves or of those who govern us, for our Lord Jesus tells us: The truth shall set you free (John 8:32),” he said. “We waited until the election was over to make a statement to avoid being misunderstood. Catholic bishops are firmly committed to a non-partisan role in the politics of this nation. We have no desire whatsoever for political office or to influence people to vote in a particular manner.”

Bishop Lungu explained that the latest pastoral statement was as a result of ZEC's concern with regard to what was happening to Zambia's electoral process.

“In the October 2008 elections, we recognise that many observers, both those that are partisan and non-partisan, noted significant weaknesses in vote patterns, counting and reporting. Something needs to be done to improve this state of affairs,” he said.

On the voter apathy that characterised the just-ended presidential election, Bishop Lungu said it did not augur well for a young democracy like Zambia to have only 1.8 million people voting out of 3.9 million registered voters, resulting in a low voter turn out of 45.43 per cent.

“Voting is not only a right but a civic responsibility to one's country. The slogan, 'your vote is your power' may sound like a cliché but it is a truth that cannot be overemphasised in a democratic country. The low numbers of people who voted on October 30, 2008 is cause for serious concern,” Bishop Lungu observed. “It will be recalled that in 2006, the voter turn-out was 70.70 per cent. Clearly, there is urgent need for voter education.”

He observed that whilst voter education was a responsibility of the government, it appeared this important aspect of the electoral process had become the preserve of non-governmental organisations and the Church alone.

“If need be, political parties should, between now and the next elections (2011), mount concerted efforts to educate their members on the importance of casting their ballots,” Bishop Lungu said. “Voter apathy is partly the result of thinking that 'my vote does not count'. It is also partly as a result of the public perception of alleged irregularities in the conduct of elections. Our message to all Zambians is: never get tired to voting, as your apathy will deny you the choice of your preferred candidate.”

On the registration of voters, Bishop Lungu said it was regrettable that the progressive legislation that was passed in 2001, under Statutory Instrument number 51, providing for continuous voter registration had not been implemented.

“These are issues that we have discussed before. You will recall the many debates around the infamous Nikuv Voter Register. More than 10 years later, we are still discussing and debating the very same issues,” he said. “Similarly, it will be noted that voters' cards that are acquired do get lost. It is a fact of life. There must be a mechanism that replaces lost voters' cards continuously and in exceptional cases, those with National Registration Cards should be allowed to vote in places where they registered.”

Bishop Lungu further observed that the recent elections demonstrated that the issue of bribery and other forms of corrupt practices were still being used to induce votes.

“The media was alert in this regard and exposed these electoral malpractices. We are extremely worried that these vices are now increasingly being seen as normal during election campaigns,” Bishop Lungu said. “On the other hand, we wonder if the Electoral Code of Conduct has any sting! Why is it that politicians and other stakeholders, agree on procedures and on the Electoral Code of Conduct that they are only too eager to circumvent?”

Bishop Lungu called for the enhancement of the credibility of elections in Zambia so that the security of the nation was not, in any way, threatened.

“There must be immediate and far reaching electoral reform that will once again inspire confidence in the electoral process,” he said. “The era of minority presidential victories should be avoided forthwith because it weakness the mandate of the President. We look forward to a future when a presidential candidate will command a clear 50 per cent plus one votes.”

Bishop Lungu also called for the need to improve the operations of the ECZ and their conduct of elections by giving due attention to the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Technical Committee (ERTC).

“Since the flouting of electoral procedures and the Electoral Code of Conduct seem to go on with impunity, it is time the perpetrators were brought to book and punished to serve as a deterrent to other potential offenders,” Bishop Lungu said. “The government should not drag anymore the constitution-making process.”

Bishop Lungu said the Catholic bishops were available to facilitate inter-party reconciliation, as long as the parties involved get to the discussion table with open minds and sincere hearts.

“In one way or another, the various political parties need each other. As Zambians, we may disagree on many things but we must never give in to hate, whether on basis of political affiliation or along tribal lines,” said Bishop Lungu. “Zambians have always been known to be peace-loving people and clearly demonstrated this. We urge you all to continue being calm and peaceful. We take this opportunity to remind all Zambians that the rule of law should always take precedence to guarantee peace in the nation. The police and the army are not there to imprison us. They are our brothers and sisters who defend us all. Let us strive to be a nation of prayerful people.”

Labels: ELECTIONS, ZEC

posted by MrK @ 8:03 AM