Catholics call for Zimbabwe presidential elections (March 2008) to be postponed

Zimbabwean Elections are not going to be free and fair. ZANU PF government of president Robert Mugabe does not want to leave power. Political opponents are being harassed, starved, beaten, tortured and murdered by ZANU.

l mentioned it last year in my article titled 'Bishop Manhanga Support ZANU PF' that, 'Tyranny knows that it doesn't have legitimacy therefore will not give you room to remove it through elections. Mugabe is the one violating the Zimbabwean constitution by rigging elections and murdering innocent people.'

Zimbabwean elections are hopeless. Dr. Rev. Derek Carlsen stated that in an immoral society the ballot does not work. Those in power can make it say anything. Therefore the ideals of justice, peace, freedom and harmony are not going to come through elections.

The Zimbabwean crisis poses great challenge to us Christians. As God called us to be salt and light (Matt 5:13) by seeking justice and rescuing those being lead to death.

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Catholics call for Zimbabwe elections to be postponed
By agency reporter

18 Feb 2008

Zimbabwe's Roman Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) has called for the postponement of the national elections due on 29 March 2008. They say there are clear signs that the poll will not be free and fair under current conditions.

The J&P Commission commented that both the established voter registration process and the requirements for the presidential and parliamentary elections are "cumbersome" and will make it difficult for citizens in many areas of the country to take part.

"There has been inadequate preparation and voter education on the electoral process," the Commission declared in a statement released on 16 February.

It added that the confusion is compounded by the presidential and parliamentary elections being held simultaneously for the first time.

Millions of Zimbabweans who have fled to neighbouring states or who have gone overseas to escape their country's economic meltdown should be allowed to vote because they still contribute significantly to Zimbabwe, the Commission said.

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission urged government authorities to adhere to the Southern African Development Community's Principles and Guidelines Governing the Holding of Democratic Elections "in letter and in spirit."

"We would like to remind the relevant authorities and citizens that elections are a process and not a once-off event," it said.

The justice and peace commission said that, seven weeks before the elections, citizens still did not have information such as which candidates would be running and which parties would field candidates.

"We strongly recommend that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission be dissolved with immediate effect and a new one be appointed in terms of the new law", the Commission concluded.

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/6776