The southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has commended voters in Kasenengwa, Vubwi and Zambezi constituencies for electing women to represent their communities in parliament.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe notes that the election of women to parliament has contributed to correcting the grave imbalance that exists as regards women representation in parliament and councils across the country.
Mr. Cheembe further commends political parties for adopting women and has urged political parties to continue with the same spirit of adopting women candidates so as to ensure that more women are represented in decision making positions.
“The southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) would like to commend voters in Kasenengwa, Vubwi and Zambezi constituencies for electing women to represent their communities in parliament.
“The elections outcome does not only give political parties numbers but also contribute to correcting a grave imbalance that has existed in terms of women representation in parliament as well as councils across the country. SACCORD further commends political parties for adopting women candidates and would like to encourage parties that participate in elections to ensure that they give more women such opportunities so that more women can get into councils and parliament.”
Mr. Cheembe also commended the political parties for being peaceful during and after the campaigns which he says gave electorates conducive environment to freely choose their representative.
“We further commend political parties for being peaceful during and after the campaigns which resulted in a conducive environment for holding elections and giving the electorates a chance to freely choose their representatives.
“The peace that was experienced during these elections largely contributed to the positive results that women candidates recorded. We have noted that previous elections where there has been violence, the performance of women candidates has been negatively affected in that most of them are unable to free go and seek support.
“Despite the low voter turnout, we are encouraged by Zambians’ continued appreciation of the role they play in fostering democracy in the country. While there have been discouraging incidents in which voters felt that their votes do not count, Zambian voters have gone ahead in ensuring that they take part in elections and put leaders in positions to represent their communities.
“It now remains incumbent on all political parties to work towards voter mobilization whenever there are elections so that more voters take part in elections.”
Mr. Cheembe further urged government to ensure that future elections are as peaceful as the recent polls by promoting more dialogue and engagement with various political stakeholders so as to iron out challenges that continue to arise after elections such as the use of government resources.
“SACCORD would like to urge government to ensure that future elections remain peaceful by promoting more dialogue and engagement with various stakeholders in the electoral process.
“We note that the use of public resources has become rampant under the Patriotic Front an act which is a clear contravention of laws that govern elections. The use of these resources is a source of conflict as we noted during the Mangango by-election in which suspected government vehicles were damaged.”
Mr. Cheembe said this in a press statement released to the media today.
