THERE is tension in the air as Zambia officially opens its electoral campaigns for the August elections, Margaret Kangwa Pikiti, Socialist Party parliamentary candidate for Malole constituency, says.
“The shocking political violence of the August 2016 elections still haunts the nation’s collective memory, and Zambians are all too aware of the potential electoral-related violence that could befall the nation,” she said.
Pikiti said images of political cadres using physical and psychological violence against their political opponents were still fresh in the mind. “This troubling departure from most previous elections left many wondering, so how did we get here? Where is the nation that bears the slogan, ‘One Zambia, One Nation’? Where is the nation whose identity is forged in being a ‘peaceful nation’? Where is the nation that fought for the political and economic freedom of its people and southern Africa at large? Where are the people who demanded multiparty democracy in 1991? Where are the people who fought against an unconstitutional attempt for a third presidential term in 2001?”
She said it was perhaps redundant to ask the question “how did we get here?” without looking at the political and socioeconomic context. “For how can one expect peace to prevail without the pillar of social justice? How can peace prevail in a country where most young people live in absolute poverty? Is it really any wonder that they are vulnerable to political manipulation by the elite? The nation clearly has much to reckon with following the elections if any lasting peace is to be achieved.”
Pikiti asked how peace could be maintained with such fragile foundations. “We must unite in our striving for a better country for all,” she said. “We must remember we are not enemies but one people with different opinions about how we want our country to be run. As such, the responsibility of peace falls on all of us.”
She said it was important for everyone to be mindful of their rhetoric and behaviour during this period. “We implore the political class to refrain from inciting or using violence of any form during this campaign season. We appeal to the current ruling party to maintain the rule of law. We also plead with the public to work with the police to maintain peace and security in the country. Let peace and freedom reign.”
TELL THAT TO THE PF >>>>>>>>>>>>>
THEIR D1CTAT0R1AL WAYS AND UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD
DOES NOT FAVOUR PEACE
This woman is mentally retarded. Clearly there must be tension in her own little messed up mind. It is losers like these who spread lies and cause tension. Stop opening your mouth carelessly and just sell your losing manifesto to your 3 supporters.
Mbuzi, DONT INSULT
TENSION IS EVERYWHERE TR0LL
OPEN YOU EYES ……… TALKING OF LOSERS ALL THE TIME AND ABOUT UPND
WAIT AND SEE THE PF GOVERNMENT ON A SELF DESRUPT PATH AND OPPOSITION JUST HAS TO SIT BACK AND WATCH THE 1MPLOS1ON
COMING
There is always tension during election time. This is not something strange. Even in the world’s oldest democracy, there was immense tension during presidential elections but it was dealt with. So our worry should be that there is tension but HOW to deal with this tension (which in most cases is caused by the losing candidate and his followers).
*our worry should not be..
we know you lived half your life in the diaspora how you were swindled because you thought a naja man was trusted…please just campaign your way and stop inciting people of malole…
I agree with Kaizer
Tension is always there during election.You
Can look at history .It all depends on how
Much difference is there in votes between the two closest rival parties.Zambians are
Peaceful people but peace cannot be taken
For granted.
Having Fred M’membe as party leader surely doesn’t help in keeping violence at bay.
I hope the helicopter stoners of opposition planes in a constituency in Muchinga will be caged in this years elections please, we want peace
She’s very right, however responsibility is just that responsibility.