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Dear
JCTR Bulletin Readers:
So many campaign messages in the past few months in preparation for the 30 October elections in Zambia, and the 4 November elections in the USA; so many promises; so many fears of the future; so many sober demands from the Church and the Civil Society Organisations; and YES, so much money spent in the campaigns and voting process. Indeed, democracy is an expensive adventure! It is all over now and we have to look to the future.
Despite the clear messages of who an ideal candidate would be, much of the campaign content lacked clear commitment to the expectations of the Church and civil society. These expectations were clearly stipulated in the 13 October Zambian Pastoral Letter from the three Church Mother Bodies (Zambia Episcopal Conference, Council of Churches in Zambia, and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia). These included i) a manifestation of professional dedication to smooth, efficient and transparent electoral practices, before, during and after elections day, ii) clear policy on dealing with dehumanising condition of impoverishment, promotion of rural development, education, health, commitment to fighting corruption, adherence to good governance standards, and iii) having a candidate who is god-fearing, honest, compassionate, hard-working, wise, selfless, and one who has profound love for the poor.
Dominic Liche
Editor
Complete Letter... |
