ZAMBIA: Church Mother Bodies Call on the Constitutional Court to Handle Possible Presidential Petition Justly
By Mwenya Mukuka, ZCCB Communications Officer
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops ZCCB and The Council of Churches in Zambia CCZ has appealed to the Constitutional Court to adjudicate the possible petition justly and expeditiously.
In a statement, Council of Churches of Zambia President Reverend Alfred Kalembo and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops’ President Most Rev. Telesphore Mpundu said the Church believes that the courts are the arbitrators of justice and play a critical role in strengthening the rule of law.
The church leaders have also appealed to the aggrieved parties on the results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to adhere to provisions in the law for dealing and settling election grievances.
The two also appealled to the victorious party to avoid celebrating in a manner that will incense and provoke the losing party.
“Both PF and UPND must take responsibility and make public pronouncements against violence and internally dialogue with their members and carders to resist any temptation to take the law into their hands and thereby disrupt the life of ordinary citizens,” they said.
They said, “In the event that there will be a petition against the announced results, we appeal to members from both sides of the political divide to wait patiently for the court’s adjudication and ruling.”
“We take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Zambia for exercising their civic right and duty with great magnanimity. Notwithstanding the fact that the task at hand was complex and new experiences came into play, to date most people in Zambia have handled the ending electoral process with patience, understanding and maturity.”
They said the Church does not doubt God’s hand in this and thank Him for His continued love and mercy upon Zambia.
“As such, most of the local monitors and international election observers have acclaimed the quality of our elections and the commitment of Zambians to peaceful elections. They have also added their significant voices to calls for peace and national reconciliation. We are all witnesses to the electoral process as a nation, both as groupings and as individuals,” he said.
“Our common desire is to see the 2016 electoral process concluded in peace and harmony, and with the continued spirit of respect for divergent views, national unity, love and harmonious coexistence among Zambians. We are however alive to the anxiety and tension that has characterized the announcement of election results.”
The two leaders however expressed concern over reports that some communities are fighting each other particularly between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development ((UPND).
“Christians must always strive to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let us then play our God-given role. As Church, we commit ourselves to preaching messages of love and reconciliation to the faithful because this is what we are called to do. Remember that we are one nation which is much bigger than our political fortunes, whether individual or collective. May God bless you all and bless our nation Zambia,” they said.
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