In view of the forthcoming Assembly election, Chakhesang Clean Election Movement (CCEM), which had been launched by Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) and fully endorsed by Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), was now in effect to check corrupt and unlawful practices during election.
Informing this in a press note, CPO president Vezuhu Keyho and general secretary Chepetso Koza appealed to all areas/ranges, village councils and church bodies within the organisation’s jurisdiction to consider implementing CCEM.
They clarified that the movement was not exclusive to any particular denomination and hence urged all the churches irrespective of denominations to help propagate and implement its guidelines in their respective localities.
They requested all the village councils to spread and propagate the message of “Clean Election” and to let the CCEM guidelines reach all sections of people irrespective of party affiliations and religious denominations. They urged the village councils to enforce the principles and guidelines in letter and in spirit.
They urged all the areas/ranges to provide necessary assistance in the dissemination and implementation of the CCEM guidelines, besides requesting all the candidates to honour and adhere to the guidelines.
The CPO leaders hoped that the respective church bodies and village councils would positively respond to the appeal and prayerfully plan and work for success of CCEM because it was imperative that the movement was made a collective responsibility in order to get rid of unlawful and ungodly practices during election that had eaten into the very fabric of the society.
They asked all CPO frontal organizations, viz, CYF, CSU and CMA, to give full cooperation and assistance wherever necessary.
As per the CCEM guidelines, party flags, posters, banners and billboards cannot be displayed on church buildings and premises, institutions and public buildings, while use of intoxicants like alcohol would be restricted and inflow of liquor would be prohibited.
The guidelines have barred political parties from organising feasts or create nuisance in their respective offices in towns and villages, besides organising mass procession in support of their candidates.
The movement also declared that no one would be allowed to sell or buy votes and only eligible voters attaining 18 years of age would be allowed to vote as per the election rules.
Further, one person, one vote would be enforced and proxy vote would not be allowed.
Church workers would not be allowed to engage in canvassing and even their residence would not be used for election purposes. But, if any church worker wished to involve in the election campaign, he/she should resign first and be relieved from church ministry for a period of 5 years, the guidelines pointed out.
No political parties should conduct election campaign on Sundays and national political groups or any other group would not be allowed to use arms or force and engaging in booth capturing during election.
Use of force or booth capturing too would not be allowed during election.
Village councils would organise common platform for all political parties to share their respective manifestos, but no village authority would be allowed to declare solid/majority in favour of a particular candidate for the sake of village peace and harmony.
Candidates have been barred from engaging in hate campaign, false propaganda and character assassination.
All the believers have been requested to pray and elect capable and God-fearing leaders and to ensure free and fair election.
CCEM would work to ensure clean electoral roll in all Chakhesang villages and extend all possible co-operation and support the government and the election machineries. It would also work with village authorities and church workers to implement the guidelines, stated the CPO leaders.
