Maravi

‘Free and fair elections are possible in Zambia’

‘Free and fair elections are possible in Zambia’
By The Post
Sun 28 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

WE agree with Bishop George Lungu’s observation that “free and fair elections are possible in Zambia”. Truly, free and fair elections are possible but to have peaceful, free and fair elections, certain conditions have to prevail in our country and in our hearts.

There ought to be a conducive atmosphere. The major political players have to agree on the conditions under which elections would be held.

The contestants have to conduct themselves in a manner that does not put others at an unfair disadvantage. There ought to be transparency in the organisation of elections.

We therefore urge the Church and other credible institutions in our country to ensure that political parties keep to pertinent issues, for example, service to the poor, social welfare, agricultural issues, during their campaigns.

Those who campaign outside these issues are not promoting peaceful elections and should not be voted for in next year’s elections.

The Church, and all citizens of goodwill, should demand that all political parties publicly denounce violence, intimidation and intolerance of any sort.

Constructive dialogue should be encouraged at all times on key electoral issues, such as the ongoing constitution review process and voter registration.

All political parties should have fair access to the state-owned media, and the media have a duty to report political campaigns fairly and accurately.

In the light of these necessary conditions, there is need for the government and the ruling MMD to realise that they have a serious responsibility.

As facilitators of next year’s election, they should ensure that the concerns of all key players are adequately addressed.

And there is need for the opposition political parties to be open and constructive in their participation in the electoral process and in addressing whatever problems and differences that may arise.

The Church has both the right and duty to participate fully in building a just and peaceful Zambia with all the means at its disposal.

It is therefore pleasing to learn that the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace will sensitise voters in all the church’s 10 dioceses across the width and breadth of our country.

There is need to sensitise voters so that they can vote for honest leaders in next year’s elections and not people that are just interested in themselves, in their own stomachs and pockets.

Justice demands this from the Church. And a church is not fully rooted among its people if it does not try to establish justice.

Bishop Lungu says, “People admire us in Zambia for one thing: peace. A number of countries have had problems emanating from issues of elections, governance, development and so forth, but in Zambia we have until now enjoyed relative peace and I believe it is important to sustain this peace.

And we the bishops are convinced that the issues we have raised, if they are not addressed adequately, it will be very difficult indeed to sustain that peace.”

Truly, this peace we are enjoying shouldn’t be taken for granted. If we are careless, we will soon lose it the way other sister African nations have lost it.

We should always bear in mind that peace is more than the absence of war. It is the fruit of that right ordering of things with which the divine founder has invested in human society and which must be actualised by people thirsting after an ever more perfect reign of justice.

And if peace is to continue in our country, there is need for us to ensure that the causes of any dissension, of any conflicts that may arise from time to time among our politicians and their supporters must be eradicated.

It is very important to maintain and strengthen democratic structures, especially those associated with the conduct of elections, if we are to enjoy a peaceful and developing future.

Peace is the fruit of honesty, truth and solidarity; it is the tranquillity of order. And to guarantee peace, all have to be called to maturity, tolerance and responsibility.

Next year’s elections will provide all Zambians with a unique opportunity to show their political maturity and their sincere aspiration for peace and harmony anchored in justice.

Therefore there is need to prepare ourselves to enter into this forthcoming electoral process.

Our electoral process should not be entrusted to a group of people who are not seen to be objective, fair and impartial in their conduct of elections.

A number of issues have already been raised concerning the composition and operations of the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

There’s a feeling that the Electoral Commission is dominated by people who are in one way or another related or connected to Rupiah Banda.

Whatever their degree of objectivity, these commissioners will not be seen to be fair and impartial by the opposition and more so if things don’t go its way.

To guarantee peace, we need elections whose results are accepted by both the winners and the losers. We need an Electoral Commission that is seen to be independent, comprising representatives from all political parties, the main political bodies and impartial observers.

The campaign for next year’s elections 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 at all costs because the electoral campaign should not be confused with a battlefield where the aim is to destroy the other.

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

During elections, we, the people of Zambia have the right to choose those who represent us, and we must do our duty and citizens by choosing people who serve the country with justice towards all; people who consider themselves accountable to their electorates, who consider the public interest rather than their own and who will be faithful to their election promises; people who respect the rights of others, who do not use their position to amass wealth, unmindful of the many who have little or none; people of genuine integrity, moral courage in the cause of truth and justice.

We will need to use our vote wisely and bravely.

Our vote will always be a powerful weapon for unity, an instrument of justice and peace. On our voting, on the quality of it, the discernment behind it, depend the progress and peace of our country.

So it is very important that in casting our vote, we should never be swayed by personal profit, regional bias, but solely by consideration of which of the conflicting issues or candidates is better for our country. The interest 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 of other opponents. All citizens must be guided by the truth, integrity and justice.

It is necessary to remind all political parties, including the ruling MMD, that politics is for the good of the people and the country, and not for a political survival of any individual or party.

As we approach next year’s elections, we must express concern regarding the frequent instances of intolerance, intimidation and lust for power.

In the present atmosphere of fierce competition and character assassination, we remind the nation of the noble goals of political activity.

Politics aims 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 but to serve” (Mark 10:45). There is urgent need for understanding and dialogue.

Zambia needs patriotic leaders; people who place national interest before personal ambitions; leaders who accept public office as a trust and service to the people and not as a stepping-stone for enriching themselves.

Looking at next year’s elections in this way, one will not fail to see why the leadership of the Catholic Church, its bishops and priests are conscious of the crucial role each one of us should play in choosing the leaders who will create the Zambia we want to live in.

The church is offering its own intervention, as clearly stated, not to support or discredit any political party, but to bring the light of the gospel into our decisions and to allow God to “lead us besides still waters and restore our souls”.

As shepherds of the Catholic Church, they are offering some advice to the Zambian voters, to those who conduct and manage the elections and to political leaders.

They are merely trying to ensure that the electorate, the poor are not cheated, deceived, manipulated to vote for unscrupulous, greedy and selfish politicians.

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, ELECTIONS, GEORGE LUNGU

posted by MrK @ 6:05 PM