By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has launched a Vote in Peace campaign in rural areas to promote peaceful elections and raise awareness about the need to foster peace before, during, and after the voting process.
The campaign which is ongoing has seen ZESN taking their crusade to Nkayi, Gokwe Centre and Magunge Growth Point.
The roadshows targeted geographically marginalized communities and communities of interest, and they focused on educating citizens on the negative effects of electoral violence and the need for peaceful, free, and fair elections free from violence and electoral malpractices.
“The campaigns are amplifying Constitutional provisions on holding elections. Section 155 (1) (a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that elections must be held regularly, and referendums must be peaceful, free, and fair and must be free from violence and other electoral malpractices,” ZESN stated.
The roadshows were aimed at informing and mobilizing citizens to go out and vote in peace in the upcoming harmonized elections scheduled for August 23rd, 2023. As part of the campaign, ZESN distributed newsletters and flyers encouraging peace in elections.
Moreover, Quiz shows were conducted at intervals to test citizens’ knowledge on the electoral process and award those who gave the correct responses with ZESN-branded wrappers and caps inscribed with #YourVoteIsYourRight and Vote in Peace.
The event was broadcast live on 98.4FM and PlatinumFM Radios, which offered frequent updates and news crossovers to keep the citizens informed.
“A total of 5,000 people combined in attendance participated in the events and were edutained on what electoral violence is, how it manifests, when it occurs, and its negative effects on electoral processes,” ZESN highlighted.
Electoral violence can lead to low voter turnout and a democratic deficit due to fear and trauma to participate in electoral processes