The Youth call on political parties to end violence during elections

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is disappointed by political players in the country that continue to exhibit politics of violence towards one another. Livingstone, Mpongwe, Kapiri-mposhi and Lukulu West will be having by elections and it is incumbent upon every political party that is participating to ensure that they restrain from any form of violence.

YALI will continue to remind our politicians that elections are merely a competition to serve public office and not a matter of life and death and therefore our politicians should know that there is a country even after elections, Zambia is bigger than fights of insults.Zambia is bigger than all of us and it’s the duty of those in government and aspiring to be in public office to protect the interest of the country and the youth.The binding factor politicians should know that we are all Zambians despite having different political ideologies and political violence does not in any way help any social or economical aspect of our country.

[pullquote]The only time politicians see youth as useful is the time for political campaigns or when they advancing their selfish interests.[/pullquote]

YALI has noticed with great sadness that our politics are full of name calling are not issue based, political campaigns are a platform of insulting each other instead on telling the people the candidate is going to do for the people once elected and also selling their party manifestoes, it’s a very sad scenario that same politicians of today don’t even know their party ideologies, the only thing they do is to insult their opponents and call them all sorts of names, this kind of politics does not inspire the young people of today and are in fact setting a very bad precedent to the young people of this country. Young people will think it is the normal way of governance when in fact it leaves too much to be desired.

Role of the Police

The police play a critical role in maintaining non violent campaigns by ensuring that there is high level of professionalism among officers when dealing with members of every political party despite their political affiliation and not show favours to members of the ruling party.

[pullquote]we would like to remind our politicians that elections are merely a competition to serve public office and not a matter of life and death[/pullquote]
The police should be impartial and should ensure that there is a same level of playing field among all political players and should ensure that the rule of law prevails.

Rallies

Political parties should be allowed to hold rallies regardless of political affliation.Zambia’s constitution under Article 21 (1) provides that; “Except with his own consent a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to freely assembly and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to any political party, trade union or association for the protection of his interests.”

[pullquote]violence is retrogressive to the growth of Zambia’s nascent democracy and hinders effective youth and women participation in democratic activities[/pullquote]

The supreme law of the land guarantees citizen’s of this clause which every citizen should abide by including the police.

YALI is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that electoral violence and any other type of violence is retrogressive to the growth of Zambia’s nascent democracy and hinders effective youth and women participation in democratic activities. YALI is also aware that youth are abused to perpetrate violence and are themselves victims of violent campaigns in the electoral process. YALI is therefore urging all political parties to promote non-violent campaigns, tolerance of political beliefs, divergent views and defending political rights of individuals within our own political parties and in our multi-party system of politics.

YALI calls on all political parties to renounce the use of violence against any political opponent within and outside our political parties, condemn all those who abuse youth to perpetrate violence or who commit violence against youths and call for fair and equal justice to be meted against abusers and perpetrators alike.

YALI will not hesitate to denounce any political party or individual that will perpetuate, influence, sponsor or aid violence to take place in our country and will not hesitate to tell young not to vote for violent leaders or those aiding violence. The culture by politicians of using young people for violence should stop because their installing bad seeds in the youths instead of providing a enabling environment and much needed employment.The only time they see youths useful is time for political campaigns or when they advancing their selfish interests. Young people should stand ready to defend our democratic ideologies and violence is not part of these ideologies.
Signed

Mundia Paul Hakoola
Executive Board Secretary
YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE (YALI)