I have received a "Pre-Election Press Statement" regarding the coming presidential elections in Zimbabwe. I thought of sharing this as I have been involved as part of the IMBISA team who was trained to be election observers and to encourage the prayer of all. Elections will be held on 31 July 2013
Voting and Voting Peacefully is Every Citizen’s Responsibility
Peace Be with You!
Following the announcement of the 31st of July 2013 as the day for Zimbabwe’s Harmonized Elections, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ), a commission of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), encourages all citizens to vote. As advised by the latest ZCBC Pastoral Letter entitled ZIMBABWE ELECTIONS 2013: And the God of Second Chances, CCJPZ encourages all to exercise their democratic rights to select capable individuals from all the people —men and women who fear God, trustworthy men and women who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.’ (Exodus 18:21).
Whilst the pre-election period has been generally peaceful - save for isolated cases of violence in some parts of the country - there were many instances of intimidation which may affect citizens’ political choices. In a letter we submitted to Parliament on 30 May 2013, we congratulated the parliament and the senate for debating and passing on valuable legislatures, especially a new home grown constitution, 33 years after our independence. But we expressed concern over the following scenarios which people say frightened them ahead of elections:
Click HERE to download the full statement
