FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN 2001
As Zambia approaches elections towards end of 2001, many are wondering whether the high standard set ten years ago in the transition to multi-party democracy can be upheld. In presenting a day of reflection for the leaders of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Charles Searson, S.J., drew several pertinent lessons by quoting from Pastoral Letters and other statements from the Zambian Catholic bishops (1988-2000) about the election process.
1. Please vote: it is a right and a duty!
2. Vote only for candidates known for their:
-- honesty -- ability -- courage to speak out for the truth -- dedication -- special care for the poor
-- desire to serve and not to be served -- concern for the good of all Zambians.
3. The media should be scrupulously honest and fair in their reporting.
4. Judge a candidate by either:
-- Past performance in office: kept promises? was available?
-- Past performance in private life: known to be honest?
5. Do not vote for rabble rousers or those who have enriched themselves by taking advantage of their office. Do not vote for candidates who insult their opponents.
6. Those elected have a mandate to govern and to be accountable to the people during their term of office.
7. Do not accept or offer money, gifts, tokens or services intended to influence how someone should vote. Report any such action to the police.
8. No violence or intimidation during the electoral process: report such action to the police.
9. Respect campaigns of parties other than your own.
10. Attend rallies and meetings to form an intelligent opinion of candidates.
11. Pray for peace and unity in the election process.
12. CCJP should conduct non-partisan civic education throughout Zambia.
13. Churches should assist people to critically examine the programmes and practices of all political parties.
14. All Christians should ensure that parties adhere to pertinent issues such as the poor, social welfare, agriculture and economic recovery.
15. All parties should have equal access to the publicly owned media.
16. Christians should obtain a copy of the manifestos of various parties in order to vote intelligently.
17. We cannot enter peacefully and hopefully into the coming elections of 2001 with the country in a state of social crisis. Nothing significant has happened to improve that situation. The greater majority of our sisters and brothers face very serious difficulties meeting the basic needs of daily survival in conditions acceptable to human dignity.
18. The health system and our education system are in a state of crisis.
19. The primary challenge facing Zambia today is not resources but priorities that answer essential needs.
20. We need to pray guided by Isaiah 58 which demands that we act for charity and justice. Strong pressure for justice must be exercised.
21. We call upon the President to publicly acknowledge the extreme social crisis facing the nation and to have a high level of commitment to respond effectively to it.
22. All Zambians should ask for meetings, write letters and publicly express their demands for social responsibility on the part of the government.
23. We are committed to moving beyond words, words in prayers and statements like this, to action in solidarity with the efforts of those directly engaged in serving people in health and educational institutions.
Charles Searson, S.J.
Luwisha House
“The high standard of constitutional democracy set in the 1991 elections must be preserved in the 2001 elections. At that time, the peaceful, free and fair transition to multi-party democracy served as a shining example for all of Africa. The opportunity for Zambia to provide another such example must not be lost during this current election year.”
Statement of leadership of Christian Council of Zambia, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia and Zambia Episcopal Conference (Catholic), 25 January 2001.
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