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Let peace, harmony reign during elections
2005-11-16 07:28:20
By Joyce Mkinga
The dust of Union presidential campaigns resumes this Saturday, before general elections on December 14, this year.
political maturity will be measured by looking at how wananchi take part in these elections.
Definitely, peaceful and transparent elections will show the maturity and competence level, since multiparty democracy was re-introduced in the country almost 15 years ago.
The experience of the just ended elections in Zanzibar shows the democratic culture of tolerating different opinions, opposing each other without fighting and that of respecting the freedom of speech.
Rows between supporters of different political parties during campaigns, and move by followers of some political parties to assault journalists sent bad signals in the electoral process.
Sometimes, human values’ tolerance, and even religious harmony lack in some places, especially during the elections.
The major cause of these chaotic incidents between the religious leaders and supporters is due to the fact that religion is mixed with politics.
The two can never work together harmoniously because the later has principles that never change while the other is always twisted in accordance with the wind of the day.
To be a religious person is a difficult endeavour that very few people engage in as it needs one to know what the Holy books say and follow the teachings accordingly.
The functions of the two groups differ accordingly.
Politicians’ role is to ensure that the elections are held peacefully, religious leaders and their believers have the role of teaching their members on the importance of free and fair election as well as praying to God for peaceful, free and fair elections.
A good religion will not pray for a victory of any political party because much as its members are supporters of political parties the religious leaders are supposed to be neutral so that their prayers are heard and answered.
This is because God is unbiased and loves all the believers regardless of their political affiliation.
A religion that campaign for a particular political party has lost track and it is against the will of God. God loves everyone even sinners.
In general terms all stakeholders of the election including the government, election supervisors, leader of political parties and their followers, religious leaders and others have the responsibilities of ensuring that this year’s elections are held in a free and peaceful atmosphere. While the country is preparing for the general elections it is important that people are reminded to elect leaders of suitable qualities, which are founded in the value of honest.
The importance of having leadership in a society is unquestionable.
It is an obvious fact that leadership is a necessary aspect in any society.
One of the leadership qualifications that have been clearly spelled out in the Holy Bible is God fearing.
This is a kind of a person who works righteously and speaks uprightly who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shut his eyes from looking upon evil,’ (Isaiah 33:15).
Last year the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) and the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) gave their stand on the local government elections held in November last year and this years elections whereby they vowed not to be involved in the election campaigns or taking sides on the election.
They said religious leaders are supposed to recognise efforts needed in the promotion of democracy and therefore be keen and brave enough in mobilizing people to be just and have clean conscience.
’We ourselves on our part should be restrained by our conscience against joining improper election campaigns,’
In their joint statement, TEC President Rev Dr Severine Niwemugiza and the CCT Chairman Rev Dr Samson Mshemba said that in order to save the nation from obtaining unsuitable leadership that is dishonest it was crucial to realise that the responsibility of preparing and cleaning the society belonged to everybody.
This is because God gives good quality leadership and authority.
The church leaders gave the qualities of a leader that need to be elected during the elections including a God fearing in accordance with the teaching of ones religion, who respects people, of justice and honest, true in words and deed, who loves peace and tranquility.
Other qualities are capable of leadership and having broad knowledge and intelligence, trustworthy and responsible, with good manners, patriotic, able to defend the country’s constitution, able to cooperate with all regardless of ones’ religion, ethnicity, sex or race, brave and bold enough to defend the principal aspirations of the nation.
Of course the selection of quality leaders would depend on the way political parties have been keen to choose candidates of good leadership qualities.
This is due to the fact that people cannot just choose from the blues, they elect among those nominated by political parties.
Here is where community participation is required from the beginning of the nomination process.
Quality leaders would be able to bring justice, equality respect and development in the country.
Capable leaders from the ruling party and the opposition will help in promoting development and fight corruption.
’We should bear in mind that effective and honest leaders are capable of advocating justice and social welfare for all.
They do this at the cost of love to save the flock that they lead not to destroy it,’ (John 10:7-16)
It’s undeniable fact that leaders ought to be obtained in a fair way and not by deceit because negligence in electing capable leaders at any level would be inviting a serious disaster for the country.
The TEC and CCT declared that ’We want a leader who is first of all, God fearing, one who is elected in a fair and just way, who is not proud, who loves and respects people who has no ambitions of amassing wealth dishonesly, who is truthful and who does not hesitate to make decision, is attentive, hardworking and honest’
If that’s the case then it is extremely important for the government and the ruling party to provide an enabling environment to all political parties and civic societies so that they may participate fully and in an equal, transparent and just atmosphere in the entire electoral process.
Now that the Permanent Voter Register is in place the question of who have not registered to vote is not an issue.
But it is very irritating to note that those who have been registered in the PVR their names are not in the list of the people supposed to vote. Hope this would be rectified before the voting day.
Public participation in the campaign meetings is crucial in the electoral process for the people to understand parties polices and the candidate’s capabilities and behaviour.
When one is voting one needs to have keen understanding of the candidate one is voting for.
Voting, counting of the votes and publication of election results at all levels is important in a free and fair elections.
When the election is held in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere, people will respect and accept the results.
This would help to reduce complaints during and after the elections.
If all these were followed CUF wouldn’t have been complaining now, as everything would have been open and transparent.
’The people would have been laughing at them’ Since the principles of a free and fair elections was not followed they have a point to make however invalid and unfounded it can be!
Nonetheless, maintenance of peace and harmony is an important element in the elections.
Prevalence of chaos, confrontation and intimidation denies voters their rights for participation at all stages of the electoral process.
The root cause for absence of peace in election is prevalence of corruption, injustice, lack of respect for others and the habit of candidates and their followers to claim victory even when they are justly defeated.
It’s high time for candidates and their followers to develop the democratic culture of competing without fighting and respecting and accepting the election results.
It is not true that elections were free and fair only when you win when you lose it was not free and fair. Please! Please we need peaceful elections!
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