Catholic bishops call for peaceful election
The Namibian Catholic Bishops' Conference (NCBC) has sent a letter to its church leaders, encouraging them not only to offer their churches as polling stations, but also to encourage parishioners to vote in the upcoming elections.
The NCBC also told believers that it is their responsibility to vote, given their constitutional rights and freedoms.
"The NCBC therefore calls on all Namibians to respect the inherent dignity of every person created in the image and likeness of God during the political campaigns and elections and to promote peace, reconciliation and unity in both expressions and actions," the letter - which was signed by Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti and Bishop Willem Christiaans, among others - read.
The NCBC also encouraged respect. "We further call on all Namibians and residents in Namibia to treat every person with respect, and as a brother or sister and as a child of God, regardless of race, colour, ethnic origin, sex, religion, creed or social or economic status.”
The group said political parties participating in the elections should come forward with viable solutions and do their part to enable peaceful elections in Namibia. "We strongly appeal to the political parties to take visible actions and to create an environment of democratic, peaceful, free and fair elections."
It also urged political parties not to encourage violence or hate speech, intolerance, intimidation or harassment. "It is essential that all political parties must respect the personal decisions of the citizens and not intimidate or force or manipulate them to vote against their will and conscience."
Namibians can register to vote until 1 August.
- [email protected]
The NCBC also told believers that it is their responsibility to vote, given their constitutional rights and freedoms.
"The NCBC therefore calls on all Namibians to respect the inherent dignity of every person created in the image and likeness of God during the political campaigns and elections and to promote peace, reconciliation and unity in both expressions and actions," the letter - which was signed by Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti and Bishop Willem Christiaans, among others - read.
The NCBC also encouraged respect. "We further call on all Namibians and residents in Namibia to treat every person with respect, and as a brother or sister and as a child of God, regardless of race, colour, ethnic origin, sex, religion, creed or social or economic status.”
The group said political parties participating in the elections should come forward with viable solutions and do their part to enable peaceful elections in Namibia. "We strongly appeal to the political parties to take visible actions and to create an environment of democratic, peaceful, free and fair elections."
It also urged political parties not to encourage violence or hate speech, intolerance, intimidation or harassment. "It is essential that all political parties must respect the personal decisions of the citizens and not intimidate or force or manipulate them to vote against their will and conscience."
Namibians can register to vote until 1 August.
- [email protected]
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