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Tongai Dana
Correspondent
Peace is a critical constitutional requirement for elections in Zimbabwe.
It is not something that Zimbabweans or political leaders, ruling or opposition just wish for, but a constitutional issue to ensure citizens can freely cast their votes.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 67(2) (b) and (c) emphasises that electoral processes should be conducted in a peaceful manner.
Sections 155 (a) and (d) further provides for regular peaceful and fair elections which are free from violence and other electoral malpractices.
Based on this, political violence is criminal and should be shunned if a free and fair election is to be achieved in 2023.
ZEC working with all stakeholders including political parties has done well so far with voters’ registration, delimitation and voter education.
The electoral commission has even made an invitation to both local and international election observers including media houses and journalists.
All this point to this independent elections commission to ensure that it presides over a free, fair and credible election in 2023.
This will not be possible if we are to experience violence at any stage of the election including post-election period.
Political actors in this election are expected to shun violence for national interest’s sake
The security arms should make sure that those who engage in any form of violence are brought to book. Thumbs up to the Judicial Service Commission for appointing 35 High Court judges and 76 magistrates in all 10 provinces to arbitrate in electoral disputes and ensure rapid trial for political violence over the next six months in terms of the country’s electoral laws.
Party supporters should be on the know-how that any form of violence will taint the name of their party.
At national and Government level, the President Mnangagwa is on record advising citizens against political violence.
As a father figure it is rare for him to complete his speech without talking about peace. Dr Mnangagwa has called for peace as the country prepares for general elections. At political party level, Zanu PF has always reiterated that, as a political party it does not tolerate any form of violence or any barbaric conduct whatsoever.
Zanu PF has been preaching about peace. The party’s leadership at all levels has been preaching about maintaining peace during and after elections whenever they get the chance to. Zimbabweans also expect opposition party leadership to also call for peaceful elections.
Violence is not just direct as in physical harm it is also indirect. Indirect violence includes psychological attacks such as intimidation and hate speech and sexism.
These also equally affect people and affect how they vote and should be shunned even if such violence is visible, the effects are more dangerous. We welcome the peace prevailing in the country as we prepare for elections.
I commend all political contestants and stakeholders for contributing to the present temperate political climate.
This is our way of showing not just the world, but ourselves to those who still doubt that we can, it is possible to be peaceful in political processes.
Politics is not a dirty game, but an important part of our developmental life. It helps in choosing good leaders, make laws, enforce and amend them.
The late peace leader, Vice President of Zimbabwe, Cde John Landa Nkomo would always say; “Peace begins with me, peace begins with you, peace begins with all of us” (May his peaceful soul rest in eternal peace).
In this regard, it is constitutionally, the State’s obligation therefore to ensure that appropriate legislative and administrative measures have been put in place to curb electoral violence and other electoral malpractices.
Every Zimbabwean citizen, male or female, in rural or urban areas has a role of ensuring peaceful elections and national peace in general.
Actually all relevant legislative and administrative measures have been put in place (maybe not perfect, but who is perfect under the sun) by the Government through the people and by the people; Chapter 12 Institutions, civic society and other Government institutions.
Of key importance is the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the police and political party disciplinary organs.
I implore these institutions to do the right thing and be accountable to Zimbabweans.
With this in mind, Zimbabweans let us ensure this peace is not short-lived, the peaceful environment currently obtaining should always be there up to the end of the polling process even if our preferred candidates lose. Our country as usual should forever be defined by peace.
Zimbabweans should unite and work together. It is us Zimbabweans who will make things work.
We should unite and find solutions to our challenges as one people.
Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
Tongai Dana is a lecturer at Catholic University
Online Reporter