Electoral violence in Serenje worries good governance group

Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services(GEARS Initiative Zambia) is concerned with the reported electoral violence in Serenje involving Socialist Party (SP) and United Party For National Development(UPND).

GEARS Initiative Zambia Programs Coordinator, Gideon Musonda, has noted with concern that election areas are now taken to be battle grounds for physical confrontation by politicians resulting into injuries, sometimes death.

Musonda said the use of various weapons including guns by politicians and cadres is scaring and a big threat to the national security.

He said it must be noted that in a democratic society elections free from violence presents an opportunity for all participants to compete on ideas of how to serve the people better.

Read more: Police detain Socialist Party president, M’membe, after supporters clash with UPND members

“Elections should be taken as a way of life we have deliberately chosen for ourselves as enshrined in our Republican constitution to choose leaders,” Musonda said.

He said the acts of violence takes away gains that have made as a nation which is also known to be a beacon of peace and also an example of a thriving democracy on the continent of Africa.

Musonda has condemned the violence and urged all Zambians to detest it because it is an alien culture which must be curbed.

“We urge Zambia Police to ensure that all perpetrators of violence are brought to book and face the law. If violence is not stopped it will deter citizens from freely participating in an election,” he said.

He has called on all political party leadership to take charge and show seriousness away from lip service by way of punishing all members involved in violence.

Musonda said it is high time leaders start expelling violent members as a deterrent measure.

He said it is GEARS Initiative Zambia’s hope that with intensified security in collaboration with all stakeholders, electorates in all by-elections areas will be accorded an environment where they will be able to choose their leaders freely on April 20, 2023.

“We urge all stakeholders to adhere to the electoral code of conduct for purposes of having free and fair elections,” he said.

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