The ManicaPost
ELECTION season is definitely upon us.
You feel it in the air as political heavyweights in ZANU PF prepare for the ruling party’s upcoming primary elections.
On the other hand, you hear the opposition parties pontificating on how they are going to take ZANU PF to the cleaners come election time.
That, however, is something that only time will tell.
For now, we focus on the ruling party’s primary elections that will be held in the next few days or weeks.
The much-awaited internal elections will see party members choosing those who will represent them in the harmonised elections later on this year.
The ZANU PF primary elections are there to promote intra-party democracy, with members given a chance to throw their hats in the ring and fight to represent the ruling party at either local authority or constituency level.
It is clear from the current election fever that representing the ruling party in national elections is something that is much revered.
After all, it is the ruling party that has been delivering splendidly on its promises to develop infrastructure across the country, as well as ensuring food security for all.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of the winning team?
Be that as it may, one should get onto that team on a clean slate.
There is no need for violence during the campaign period.
ZANU PF First Secretary, President Mnangagwa has already called for peace as the country prepares for the upcoming harmonised elections.
“Political players seeking the people’s mandate during the upcoming 2023 harmonised elections must maintain and consolidate the current peace, unity, harmony, and love that we have built,” he is on record saying.
Indeed, we need to guard our country’s peace jealously. Zimbabwe is known for the peace and tranquillity that exist in the country.
As we go into the upcoming primary elections and then the harmonised elections, we need to remember that violence is not our portion.
As the going gets tough, regime change activists are going to try to infiltrate our communities and ignite the spirit of hooliganism.
This is to be expected because we have seen this happening during past election seasons.
The good thing is that those calls for violent demonstrations have always been met with stiff but calm resistance.
The same script might unfold this season, with the people again opting for a peaceful election season as they choose the leaders who will carry our mandate for the next five years.
Voting for our leaders does not need to be marred with violence.
It is something we can do in a peaceful environment.
