By ESTHER NG’ANDU –
THE Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) on the Copperbelt has called on politicians to ensure that they conduct issue-based campaigns that will help foster the peace and unity of the nation ahead of the August 11, general election.
AVAP Copperbelt coordinator, Poster Jumbe said political players have a critical role of helping foster peace and unity in the country by avoiding campaigns based on character assassination.
Mr Jumbe said the only way this year’s election would be peaceful and violence-free, was by refraining from campaigns that promoted hatred.
He said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday, that there was need for politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns, because this was the only way that they would attract the attention of the voters.
“What the voters want to hear, are issues such as what and how a particular political candidate or party will do to improve their lives and not mere political rhetoric,” he said.
Mr Jumbe said politicians should focus on conducting clean and issue-based campaigns, as this was what would attract votes.
He said recent by-elections had been characterised by voter apathy mainly because of incidences of violence among political parties.
Mr Jumbe said there was need for political parties to help the electorate make informed decisions on critical issues pertaining to the affairs of the nation by basing their campaigns on real issues.
