FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE PRESIDENTIAL BYE ELECTION With the burial of late President Michael Sata tomorrow, attention of Zambians will definitely shift to the contenders for the presidency. The majority of Zambians will in their conversations be discussing in details privately and publicly who the best candidate to replace Mr Sata as President. Many will also be considering the after effects and consequences of the grueling political battle that is eminent once a new leader has been chosen. Whilst we contemplate these things, it is also important for us to not only look at the candidacy but also we should be seriously looking at the ELECTORAL PROCESS that will bring the new president to power. Will these elections be free and fair? If they have to be thus what needs to be done by every Zambian to ensure this?What is the Electoral Commission of Zambia doing in preparation ensure we have a free fair and credible election delivered? What are the key issues in our electoral process that we need to look at to ensure that the at the end of the day, it is the will of the people that will have prevailed. In the numerous elections in the past, the ECZ has been accused and counter accused of failing to deliver elections that are free, fair and credible. The issue of manipulation of the electoral process has always been a song save for 2011 when there wasnt much noise as the results were clear Mr.Sata won by a popular vote. BUT consider 2001, 2006, 2008 and even in the several parliamentary by elections the commission has been accused of of taking sides with the party in power to deny the will of the people through the ballot. If it is the opposition that carries victory, the ECZ has been labeled as working against government. In the presidential bye election that is coming ahead, there is a demand on the ECZ by the citizenry of this country to up their performance and ensure that transparent, credible, free and fair elections are delivered. The Acting President and his government equally have a responsibility to ensure that they do not use their privileged position as party in power to try and manipulate the process. The Acting President and his government have to ensure they create the environment for a free and fair election and not fall into the trap of abuse of government resources as has been in the past. If they have to win, their candidate should take the vote on a level and fair playing field. It is unfortunate that Intra party democratic processes are pathetic in our political parties so as usual it is not necessarily the best candidates that will be fielded in this election but rather those who represent a position that serves the interests of a selected few party big wigs. This in itself is a defeat in ensuring credible elections. Apart from the PF where its difficult to tell, one can almost guess who the candidates in the other parties will be even if they have not been subjected to a democratic process before adoption. Our country has earned a good reputation at peaceful and democratic elections, the recent skirmishes in Lusaka are a dent on this reputation and a free, fair and credible presidential bye election will most definitely repair this damage. Zambia is our country, our heritage, our inheritance. God will surely bless Zambia! FAREWELL MICHEAL CHILUFYA SATA!!!
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:36:55 +0000
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