The southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes has called on political stakeholders participating in the Mangango parliamentary by- election to play their roles in ensuring that peace prevails in the constituency as they campaign.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe says prevalence of peace during the campaigns is a catalyst for ensuring that members of the public in Mangango turnout in numbers on the polling day to choose the candidate of their choice.
Mr. Cheembe adds that prevalence of peace is plays an important part in having a free and fair election hence the need for political parties to ensure that they keep observing the electoral code of conduct.
“One of the foremost things that all political stakeholders must do is to work hard at ensuring that peace prevails in the constituency which is important for ensuring that free and fair elections are conducted, but also empowers the Zambian citizens in Mangango to come out en masse and choose leaders of their choice.
“In order to maintain peace, there is need for all political parties to continue observing the electoral code of conduct as this code helps political parties avoid engaging in any kind of electoral malpractices that may compromise the electoral process.
“Furthermore, observing the code will ensure that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to play their rightful rules by conducting themselves in a professional and impartial manner,” Mr. Cheembe said.
Mr. Cheembe also explains that the country’s democracy has advanced hence political parties are expected to use their manifestos and ideas to win votes.
“Zambia’s democracy has now advanced to the level where all of our political parties are supposed to sell their manifestos and ideas to the electorate as opposed to violence or anything else that does not help address the challenges of the people.
“Therefore, SACCORD hopes that political stakeholders will focus on ideas and their manifestos as the people of Mangango prepare to make an informed choice on which candidate and party is best able to represent them,” he said
