LET PEACE REIGN BEYOND ELECTIONS DAY

Dear Editor, THE revelations regarding the hatched plan by a named opposition party to cause violence on the voting day so as to turn voters away makes sad reading and security wings must be on high alert to take necessary preventive measures to protect human life and property. On the other hand, this is a wakeup call for the institutions responsible to maintain law and order take necessary preventive measures and ensure that the people are not prevented from exercising their democratic right to vote and live in a peaceful environment after the elections day. Of course there are those who are taking the elections as a matter of life and death and in some instances have caused the loss of life solely because of political intolerance for divergent views. So far many Zambians have lost their property, others have been injured in the midst of the ugly violent and chaotic scenes and in many unfortunate circumstances even life has been lost as the case was in Kanyama Township in Lusaka.  This has so far caused apprehension among some citizens and it has caused uncertainties as it does not guarantee a peaceful atmosphere. However, we should constantly be reminded that Zambia is a peaceful country, it has never known war and even hostilities even in the tightly contested elections such as the one which had late President Michael Sata dislodging then incumbent Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in 2011. The elections came and passed and the nation witnessed the peaceful transfer of power without any threat to security of the nation. Even Zambians by nature are peaceful people and not as war minded as some opposition politicians want them to be for their own selfish reasons. The power hungry politicians are willing to substitute the interest of the nation and pursue their political goals even if so doing is to the detriment of the nation. However, all political contestants should bear in mind that Zambian is bigger than all of us, thus we should leave and live in a safe Zambia after elections. The other revelation by President Lungu regarding the opposition leader who has allegedly received campaign kickbacks from a certain mining house makes sad reading too. This should constantly remind us that the elections may have foreign interests who are using the democratic process to pursue their agenda. They have no regard even if the nation was to be set into turmoil because they are not Zambians and will bear no consequence. This betrayal of allegiance to the Zambian people by the opposition leader is an eye opener on the need to put in place legislations to regulate political party funding. The obligation to make disclosures on political party funding especially during campaign period is delicate as it will protect the nation from alien invasion of our legitimate electoral systems. During the politically charged season, the various actors may take an advantage and jump the ship through inappropriate indirect political inclinations. This perhaps suggests the chaotic nature of some opposition politicians who are ready to sacrifice our hard earned peace for the sake of fostering personal ambitions. The Zambian people must reject such leaders through the ballot. We are glad our Armed Forces working together with the Zambia Police Service are on the street keeping vigil for any possible insurrection or civil disobedience. As much as the Armed Forces are there to guard against post electoral conflicts, the primary responsibility still lies with the Zambian people. In all the political activities we should be reminded that we have one, Zambia, one nation within which peace should reign. MARVIN CHANDA MBERI, Kitwe.