Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) – No to false promises and the buying of votes, yes to respect for the rules of democracy and pacific debate between candidates. These are some of the guidelines being given for upcoming presidential elections, from the three main Christian faiths in Zambia: the Bishops’ Conference of Zambia (ZEC), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and the Evangelical Fellowship in Zambia (EFZ).
In a collective message, issued on the eve of the vote, scheduled for October 30 due to the death of President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, the representatives of the three faiths (Note: signing on behalf of the Catholic Church was Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu of Chipata, President of the ZEC) “wish to commend our members and all the people of Zambia for the dignified manner in which we conducted ourselves during the illness and funeral of late President, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. We urge the people of Zambia to keep the same spirit of unity of purpose and prayer in the coming weeks as we face the challenges of the forthcoming elections.”
The religious leaders recall the fact that Zambia has recently lived three special moments: its independence in 1964, its return to the multi-partisan status in 1991, and the defense of the Constitution in 2001, to impede a reform that would have granted a third Presidential term to the then-President Fredrick Chiluwa.
In all these events, “the three church organizations have played our rightful role by offering not only impartial analysis but also ethical guidance. Hence it is not only appropriate but also imperative that our churches again play a key role at this moment in our history. This is indeed an historical moment, as the country is called to move forward with unity, wisdom and courage after the tragedy of the unexpected death of President Mwanawasa.”
“For this reason,” the document affirms, “we appeal to the people of Zambia to reject any candidate who will not abide by the electoral code of conduct by engaging in a campaign that is characterized by lies and half-truths, making false promises and threats, bribery or corruption to secure votes or any threat or violence to influence outcomes. We must be critical of what we are told by the candidates and of what we read and hear in the media.”
The religious leaders ask the government authorities to show “professional dedication to smooth, efficient and transparent electoral practices, before, during and immediately after Election Day” and to avoid any situation in which state funds are used for unjust advantages for any one of the candidates.
Lastly, they ask the political parties to respect electoral laws and that the boasted economic growth in recent years has not served to benefit the majority of Zambia’s citizens.
“In conclusion, we urge that the two weekends prior to the presidential by-election be a period of intense prayer for our beloved country Zambia. This Pastoral Message, in English and translated in local languages, is to be read in the churches of the three mother bodies and that it would be widely disseminated. We ask that its message be a topic of discussion and a guide for action,” the document concludes. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 16/10/2008)
