HARARE - Scores of residents in Chinhoyi converged for a road show held by the Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) at Gwaya Gwaya Business Centre to get an update on the constitution-making process and preparations for the forthcoming polls.

CCDZ director Phillip Pasirayi, its chairperson Earnest Mudzengi and programme officers George Makoni and Vellim Nyama spoke during the road show.

Pasirayi urged Chinhoyi residents to participate during the referendum and elections that are expected to be held in 2013. He underscored the need for peace during the elections and challenged youths to play a leading role in promoting peace and exercising political tolerance.

Pasirayi said: “Let’s shun violence, let’s embrace each other as brothers and sisters, we are all Zimbabweans. The 2008 polls were bloody because we could not exercise tolerance. We’ve seen brother turning against brother, father turning against son and vice versa, all for political expediency.
 
“To all the youths gathered here my message is that you should refuse to be used to instigate violence by politicians. Reject the violent parties and candidates in the coming polls”.

Residents of Chinhoyi urged the coalition government to implement democratic reforms such as the removal of ghost voters from the voters’ register and to create a truly independent, impartial and professional Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).

Participants at the road show also told CCDZ to assist with lobbying government because they were facing challenges in registering as voters and some of them are not able to produce proof of residence that is required to register as voters.

Mudzengi encouraged citizens to register as voters in preparation for the forthcoming harmonised elections.

He took time explaining to residents the voting procedures and the requirements of voter registration.

The CCDZ chairperson encouraged women to take leadership positions in the next elections saying their participation in decision-making enhances democracy.

Residents were reminded that voting gives them a voice in the governance of the country and that the voters have a right to reject politicians who are selfish, corrupt and unresponsive to people’s needs.
 
“Voter apathy gives room to those who have evil intentions to manipulate the elections,” Mudzengi added. - Own Correspondent