The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), an association of Christians from mainline denominations, has urged political parties taking part in the July 30 elections to uphold the fundamental values of the country’s Constitution.
ZCC launched a programme called #IPrayIVote this week in Masvingo.
The programme seeks to promote peace to promote peace and sanity before, during and after the July 30 elections.
“Under the I pray I Vote Campaign our thrust is to call for tolerance and sanity before, during and after the election. As ZCC our focus is on four areas- mobilisation, agenda setting, election observation and post-election commitments,” said a ZCC programmes officer.
“We are also fervently appealing to all political parties to campaign in a peaceful manner,” he added.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches was formed in 1964 with the aims of bringing together churches and Christian organisations for joint action, witness and coordination, particularly to adopt a united and common response to the political and socio-economic challenges.
It is a fellowship of Christian Churches and organisations that confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour according to the Scriptures and, therefore, seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
On 25 May, ZCC made a peace march in Harare dubbed the Africa Day Peace March, a procession that attracted hundreds of Christians and civilians from across the country.
Addressing gatherers after the March, ZCC General Secretary Reverend Dr Kenneth Mtata of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe urged Churches and the public to preach peace and co-existence as the country prepares for the fast-approaching General Election this winter.
The Rev. said the peace march by the amalgamation of churches of Zimbabwe was a wake-up signal to the society to pray for the nation, its economy and justice system, as it has, for the longest time sank into paralysis.
