adminHerald Reporter
THE Heads of Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe yesterday urged political parties to respect election results as what they committed themselves to do prior to the polls. In a statement, the church organisation said those political parties aggrieved with the election results should follow the due process that did not disturb the peaceful environment that existed prior and during polling.
“We call on political parties and their leaders to act in a manner consistent with the peace we have experienced so far and not withstanding any elections challenges, to do everything in their power to honour their pre-election pledges to abide by election outcomes,” said ZHOCD.
“Where there are legitimate and substantiated irregularities and anomalies, we urge concerned parties to resolve these through peaceful dialogue, law abiding and in an orderly manner.”
ZHOCD statement comes in the wake of remarks made by MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who rejected the election outcome after realizing that he had lost, describing the poll as null and void.
The church organisation congratulated Zimbabweans for the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed during election period.
“We pray that the political maturity and tolerance will continue to be a part of our national dialogue and culture. Despite the challenges in the run up to and during the poll, overally, the ZHOCD noted that the actual voting process and administration was managed well unlike the special voting process and as such ZHOCD would like to congratulate Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,” read the statement.
“Coupled with the peaceful environment leading up to and during elections, the voting process on the day augured well for general free expression of the voting public.”
ZHOCD urged ZEC to address some anomalies raised by various stakeholders.
Some of the anomalies ZHOCD raised included challenges experienced during special voting, names of registered voters not found in the voters’ roll and inaccessibility of the voters roll.
Online Reporter