Banda should consider benchmarks for free, fair elections - SACCORD

Banda should consider benchmarks for free, fair elections - SACCORD
By George Zulu
Wed 12 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

SACCORD says President Rupiah Banda should seriously consider taking the benchmarks for a free and fair election as demanded by Zambians.

In an interview yesterday, SACCORD executive director Lee Habasonda said it was not only high levels of poverty which could make an election fall short of credibility but also high levels of corruption.

“We agree in totality with our colleagues in CSPR Civil Society for Poverty Reduction that it would be difficult for Zambia to hold a free and fair election in view of high levels of poverty being experienced but also we need to check on the rate of corruption in the electoral process of this country. There is a lot of vote buying, distribution of foodstuffs. All these question the credibility of an election,” Habasonda said.

CSPR board chairman Partner Siabutuba on Monday said President Banda’s government should concentrate on addressing high levels of poverty across the nation if this year’s elections were to be free and fair.

He said it was difficult to hold free and fair elections in an environment where poverty and corruption among the electorate was rife and perpetuated by leaders.

And Habasonda said it was very important that the government heeds to dictates of democratic governance by ensuring that corruption and any form of conflict was addressed with regards to poverty reduction.

“Conflicts in elections are not only born out of disputes that may arise from the results but the conduct prior to the elections. So the question of poverty and corruption, not forgetting violence should be taken seriously by President Banda. Let him address these issues seriously for the campaigns to be credible. For the election to credible, things should start now, not any other time,” said Habasonda.