Maravi

Let’s improve the conduct of elections

Let’s improve the conduct of elections
By Editor
Thu 11 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE 2011 elections are drawing nearer with everyday that passes. And there is need to adequately prepare for these elections. We will need to overcome the many problems we experienced in the 2008 presidential elections.

To have peaceful, free and fair elections, certain conditions have to prevail in our country and in our hearts. Free, fair and constructive elections will only become a reality when we all take our responsibilities seriously.

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 on justice. And it is in this spirit that all problems and challenges pertaining to the holding of elections should be addressed.

The right to vote bears positive fruit for the country when elections are, and are seen to truly reflect, the will of the people in choosing representatives who will serve the country with justice towards all.

Therefore, good elections require intelligent and responsible participation of all, not only in voting, but also in the preparations and conduct of the election itself.

Our voting is a powerful weapon for unity, an instrument of liberty, justice and peace. On our voting, on the quality of it, on the integrity of it, the discernment behind it, depends the progress and peace of our country. The conduct of elections must be in an honest way, devoid of deceit, manipulation and cheating. And all those involved in this process must be guided by the truth, integrity and justice. It is necessary to remind all those involved in the conduct of elections that elections are for the good of the people and the country, and not for the political survival of any individual or political party. If the spirit of the primacy of the common good were to animate all those involved in the conduct of elections, we would not witness wrangling, bickering, mistrust and all sorts of accusations that have come to characterise the conduct of our elections.

In the present atmosphere with fierce political competition, we remind all those involved in the conduct of our elections of the noble goals of elections as a way of choosing our representatives. Clearly, the conduct of elections should be aimed at the promotion of the common good.

The observations made by Hope Kasese-Kumalo, the acting national coordinator of Women and Law in Southern Africa, on the standing of the Electoral Commission of Zambia deserve serious attention.

It is very difficult for anyone to convince the Zambian people that we truly have an independent, non-partisan, fair and just Electoral Commission in this country. Whatever the individual levels of integrity, fairness and justice that members and employees of our Electoral Commission may possess, it is difficult to see them as being independent and non-partisan because of the way they are appointed and the institutional, legal and political framework under which they have to operate. All the commissioners of our Electoral Commission, including the chairperson, the director and all the support staff, are appointees of those in power, in charge of government. The other stakeholders have no meaningful input in these appointments. They simply have to work with those who have been appointed by those in power. The sad part of this is that those in power are also competitors in the elections conducted or supervised by these same appointees of theirs.

And when there are transgressions by those in power, their appointees at the Electoral Commission have serious difficulties dealing with them; they can’t tell them off or discipline them. But they have no difficulties saying all sorts of things against those from the opposition. There is need to look at the management of the Electoral Commission; where each individual is coming from; how they were employed; what they have done in all these years. With all these complaints about the poor conduct of elections, malpractices and rigging, it doesn’t make sense to be silent about the management of the Electoral Commission. There is need to critically examine and evaluate the conduct, capacity and integrity of every officer at the Electoral Commission.

If nothing is done to improve the image of the Electoral Commission and remove suspicions in the minds of our people, we will soon have an election crisis; a serious national conflict arising from elections.

There is no need to leave these issues to the last minute. The time to change anything is now. The time to critically examine the character and composition of the Electoral Commission and change that which is not desirable is now. Waiting until a few weeks before-elections to try and change things wont’ do.

But as things stand today, the Electoral Commission is not representative enough and it is purely a product of those in power. This should not be allowed to continue because it is not right to have a contest where one competitor appoints all the referees, match commissioners, all the judges.

There is need to build reasonable consensus on the conduct of elections so that citizens are confident that the election results are accurate and the government does, indeed, rest upon their consent. It will not be possible for us to construct an electoral process that is respected by all if there is no openness and accountability on the appointments of commissioners and managers of the process.

There is need for us to realise that it is meaningless for us to hold elections that our people don’t see as a true vehicle for choosing or changing their leaders. What we need are elections that ensure the honesty and effective participation of citizens in making political choices; elections that guarantee citizens the possibility of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and replacing them through their votes when appropriate. The Zambian people are not interested in elections that are merely symbolic – they want competitive, periodic, inclusive, definitive elections in which the chief decision-makers in government are selected by them. We say this because all modern democracies hold elections, but not all elections are democratic.

There are so many dictators and tyrants who hold elections just to give their rule the aura of legitimacy. Such elections may even appear to offer a choice, but ensure through intimidation, manipulation or rigging that only the candidates of those in power are chosen, win. These are not democratic elections. The rules and conduct of the election contest must be fair. It is very important to hold elections that are respected and accepted by all – both the losers and the winners. We say this because elections are the central institution of democratic, representative governance. Elections help us determine who the citizens want to be in charge of their affairs. In a democracy, the authority of the government derives solely from the consent of the governed. The principal mechanism for translating that consent into governmental authority is the holding of free and fair elections.

Next year’s elections are very important to the future and stability of our country and will therefore need a lot of preparations. All the impediments to the holding of truly free and fair elections should be removed. We must work unceasingly to lift this nation to higher destiny, to a new plateau of democracy, justice, fairness, humaneness and compassion. In the coming months we all have to engage in the struggle to create a more just, fair and humane nation. This is a struggle for the souls and future of Zambia. Most of all, we are the trustees of a dream – a dream to make this country a truly democratic and humane nation. We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now, in the unfolding life and history. There is such a thing as being too late. Let us all strive to do the right thing and avoid crookedness, manipulation, injustice, unfairness – especially in the preparations for next year’s elections. If we realise this, hope will return to our hearts. Let us try in a new time and in a new way to bring back free and fair elections, elections that are respected by all.

Labels: ELECTIONS

posted by MrK @ 5:58 PM