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IN about two months, Zimbabwe will hold its harmonised elections for the public to elect the President, Members of National Assembly and councillors.
This follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s proclamation that August 23rd will be the election date, with the Nomination Court scheduled to sit on June 21 to consider and accept candidates that will take part in the elections.
The President’s proclamation saw the country sliding into election mode and several political parties, including the ruling party, ZANU PF, are now in top gear to woo the electorate.
Unfortunately, the competitive spirit among those aspiring to get into office can easily degenerate into something ugly if political players do not put the interests of the nation at heart.
It is for this reason that President Mnangagwa has reiterated his calls for peace before, during and after the harmonised elections in order to shame detractors who are itching for a cause to discredit the polls.
“Peace can only be brought about because people realise war is bad, so let us cherish peace, maintain peace, dream peace, walk peace and teach peace wherever we are,” the President is on record saying.
It is crucial to remember that shunning violence in all its forms is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a sign of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to develop our motherland, Zimbabwe.
All those involved in the electoral process must therefore commit themselves to peaceful conduct prior, during and after the harmonised elections.
As politicians go full throttle into disseminating their electoral messages, political leaders should desist from inflammatory utterances that could incite fellow citizens to violence during the campaigns.
While individual responsibility is emphasized, political parties and party leaders must control the conduct of their supporters.
They have got the capacity to rein in their members.
Hate speech, gendered disinformation and incitement by candidates and their supporters during the election campaign period can spark violence.
The disproportionate impact of political violence on women, both online and offline, is also an area of great concern as this has seen their participation in politics dwindling over the years.
The youth, who are our future leaders, must also desist from being used as political tools of violence against each other or as agents of hate through social media.
Instead, they should use the platforms to preach peace and unity in Zimbabwe.
Therefore, by committing voluntarily against personal or inter-party attacks, physical violence or intimidation, political parties take responsibility to prevent violence, in particular during electoral campaigns, and lay the basis for democratic processes to take place seamlessly.
On the other hand, the country’s security forces, particularly the Zimbabwe Republic Police, have their work cut out in terms of strictly enforcing the law before, during and after the elections.
Elections are an important mechanism in democratic and peace processes and therefore they must be held in a peaceful environment.
Let peace reign in every heart, in every homestead and every corner of the country.
Online Reporter