By BRIAN HATYOKA –
THE Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has urged churches in Zambia to encourage their members to vote during the January 20, 2015 presidential elections so as to promote democracy in the country.
Meanwhile, the CCZ will monitor the printing of the ballot boxes in South Africa as well as monitor the actual presidential poll next month.
CCZ president Alfred Kalembo said churches were found in all parts of Zambia and it was important that church leaders encouraged their members to exercise their right to vote next month to enhance democracy.
Dr Kalembo said it would be irresponsible for some citizens, especially church members, to shun the voting exercise as that would deny them of their rights to participate in the governance of the country.
“Everybody in the country is affected by the January 20, 2015 presidential by-election and so the churches should encourage their members to vote because they are found everywhere across the country,” Dr Kalembo said.
He was speaking in Livingstone on Thursday in an interview after he officiated at the wedding of Reverend Josephine Sichoongwe and Pastor Patrick Phiri.
The two, who are aged 43 and 45 respectively, have never married before regardless of their old ages.
He also urged churches in Zambia to be neutral and avoid siding with political parties as their church members were coming from different political affiliations.
Dr Kalembo said the church also had a duty to encourage members to be peaceful during the elections.
“Zambia has been an oasis of peace and many investors are coming due to peace and so we should encourage peace as Zambians go to vote on January 20, 2015.
“We have enjoyed peace for many years. Let’s all support, promote and encourage peace during the by-election,” Dr Kalembo said.
He said CCZ was part of Christian monitoring groups that would monitor the printing of the ballot boxes and the presidential by-election.
Dr Kalembo said there should be no character assassination during campaigns.
“Let political aspirants tell people what they will offer and this is what Zambians are looking for from politicians,” he said.
