adminONCE again, Zambians have shown that they are peace-loving people who can cast aside their political differences and exercise their democratic right to vote in a manner devoid of violence.
Zambians must be commended for the civilised manner in which they voted in the presidential and general elections last Thursday, August 11, 2016.
This clearly demonstrates that the electorate appreciate the importance of entrenching our growing democracy by ensuring that they vote peacefully.
We welcome the show of maturity by the electorate because this demonstrates that despite the acrimonious debates and campaign the situation relatively became calm when the election-day came.
We have no doubt that the international community and the election observers have once again noticed that Zambia is a bastion of peace where transition of government is mostly peaceful.
The message to the world is loud and clear — Zambians are peaceful people keen to enhance the country’s nascent democracy.
What is even more impressive is the massive turnout that characterised the elections as thousands of people turned to cast their votes peacefully.
In the past, some elections were marred by apathy with very few people turning out to cast their votes which eroded the credibility of the poll result.
This time around, however, Zambians have proven to the outside world that they are serious about entrenching the democracy by turning out in millions to peacefully vote for candidates of their choice.
Despite the pockets of violence which erupted in some areas, people turned out in large numbers to cast their votes peacefully.
With the elections held under the new constitution which provides for fifty percent-plus-one and a presidential running mate, we are confident the country may avoid a costly election re-run.
The elections also provided for people to vote in the referendum which asked Zambians to vote on the Bill of Rights so that it can be enshrined in the constitution.
Credit must also be given to the Electoral Commission of Zambia led by Justice Esau Chulu for organising, what has generally been seen to be, a credible poll so that even the sceptics will eventually accept the outcome of the elections.
Before the ballot papers were printed there were some opposition who were casting aspersions on the ECZ and the choice of the firm to print the ballot papers.
After witnessing the printing of ballot papers in Dubai it was evident that the ECZ had made good choice because all the stakeholders expressed satisfaction that the printer had done a professional job.
For now, the die is cast and stakeholders must exercise patience and wait for the ECZ to finish counting to avoid speculation, a situation where some candidates may declare themselves as winners before the final counting. After the Zambian voters have shown maturity by voting very peacefully, we expect the same maturity from the various candidates to avoid exciting their cadres.
Issuing alarming statements before the final tallying of polls has the potential to cause chaos and even violence after the peaceful elections.
Candidates who are also threatening not to accept the election results are a risk to the peace the country has been enjoying since independence.
This editorial was published in the Zambia Daily Mail on August 11, 2016.
Online Reporter