By PRISCA MBEWE –
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) aspiring parliamentary candidate for Nakonde Constituency, Izukanji Siwanzi has called on the Church in Zambia to spearhead the preaching of peace ahead of the general elections.
Mr Siwanzi said in a statement yesterday that the Church had a significant role in ensuring that peace through prayers prevailed in the country, hence the need for all political party leaders to adhere to the need for peaceful campaigns.
“The Church has a very vital role to play in bringing peace and preaching democracy in a country like Zambia,” he said.
He said the Church was the best body during this period to encourage the people, particularly the youth not to be used by politicians in causing violence.
He urged the Church to help sensitise the youth not to be used as tools of violence.
Mr Siwanzi also implored traditional leaders to play their part as peacemakers during the election campaigns.
He said chiefs should use their influential positions by being in the forefront to speak on the need for peace among political players.
Mr Siwanzi said sensitising the public on the need to adhere to peaceful campaigns could be achieved through the holding of meetingss and tournaments such as football as well as other games that brought people together.
“Politicians should understand that power rests in the ballot paper and not in violence,” he said.
Mr Siwanzi also urged traditional leaders to be neutral in the way they treated aspiring candidates and to use their leadership role to encourage voters not to be manipulated.
He also called on the electorate to turn up in large numbers to cast their votes and accept whoever would emerge victorious.