The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) in Livingstone has urged the electorate to vote wisely and on issues that will enhance the quality of living of every Zambian especially the poor.
With less than 24 hours remaining before Zambians go to cast their vote on August 2016 to elect a new set of Leaders and Vote alongside the Referendum, the JCTR says it is imperative that the casting of votes be based on issues relating to availability and accessibility of adequate nutrition and quality social services to the majority Zambians.
JCTR Livingstone outreach regional officer Gorge Makaha says from the standpoint of the electorate, election time is meant to critically analyse party manifestoes and right candidates, who will contribute towards changing the harsh living conditions that Zambians find themselves in and such candidates should be “servants of the people” who attend to the needs of those who elect them.
He says if the process of elections is to be meaningful to Zambian households, they must be seen to be creating positive changes in as far as improving the household’s ability to access basic needs is concerned.
Makaha says JCTR’s belief is that the duty of the electorate should go beyond the actual voting to actively participate in all forms of governance processes after the elections. Specifically, electorates must make government accountable and measure its’ success by evaluating their performance on the basis of the promises made during the campaigns.
“The future of our country over the next five years now lies in the ballot box. We hope it is a future that will guarantee prosperity for all. Only creditable, honesty and humble leaders can ensure that hope for prosperity is equitably shared amongst the 14 million plus inhabitants that live within our borders,” said Makaha in a media statement.
Meanwhile, the basic needs basket in Livingstone slowed down in July by almost K 7.14“At the end of July 2016, the BNB for livingstone for family of five showed a reduction of K3, 852.83 from K3, 852.83 recorded in June 2016.
“The average cost is too high for most households to adequately meet essential household needs,” said Makaha
