The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has observed that Zambia is still struggling to come to terms with how politics in a democracy is practiced.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe says it is regrettable that despite the country’s democracy being over 20 years old, politics in the country are still characterized by violence and intolerance perpetuated by political players.
Mr. Cheembe says while his organization congratulates the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) for emerging victorious in the just ended Mangango by-election, it is unfortunate that political parties that took part in the by-election traded violence instead of raising real issues affecting the people.
Mr Chembe has told Qfm news in an interview that political parties failed to advance ideas to enable electorates make informed decisions.
The SACCORD Executive Director says there is need for the country to continue inculcating a culture that will enable political leaders to stick to the democratic tenets especially during elections when emotions are high.
He says there is further need to ensure that people in the country begin to be more receptive to ideas than tolerate violence and intimidation as the basis for their decisions to vote for any particular party.