By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THE Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has urged President Edgar Lungu and his Government to work towards national reconciliation and building.
“He must act as President for all Zambians by working with all, even, and indeed especially with those who did not vote for him,” ZEC said in a statement issued yesterday by the president Telesphore Mpundu.
Archbishop Mpundu wished Mr Lungu God’s blessings and urged the ten losing candidates to work with Government to improve the quality of life for Zambians.
He, however, said despite Zambians handling the election successfully, it exposed a number of flaws that needed to be dealt with immediately.
Archbishop Mpundu denounced the violence witnessed in the campaigns leading to the election, acts that were bound to tarnish the respectable national democratic credentials.
He called for a law to punish offenders, leaders or members of political parties that tolerated intra and inter party violence.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia and the police, Bishop Mpundu said, should be given the necessary legal instruments to deal with offenders.
The statement said voter apathy was partly because of unfulfilled campaign promises and therefore, politicians should be sincere and make realistic promises while voters should make politicians accountable.
Archbishop Mpundu said it was unfortunate that the just ended presidential election had been perceived by some as tribal with regards to the voting pattern.
He said there was nothing new to the pattern saying that the voting style was a clear indication that Zambia was truly one nation and was challenging the traditional voting pattern.
Bishop Mpundu said Zambia was ethnically integrated that any politician who tried to use tribalism in pursuit of public office was denounced by the citizens.
He said the media should not exaggerate isolated incidents of tribalism, real or imagined, which could funnel tribal tension.
Archbishop Mpundu also urged the clergy and the traditional leaders not to endorse political candidates during an election.
In the run up to the presidential election, he said, the process of selecting candidates particularly within major contending parties was of controversy showing that there were flaws in party constitutions that needed to be sorted out.
Archbishop Mpundu said to address most of these issues and more, there was need to quickly make Constitution reforms to reduce on costly elections.