By Abigail Mupambi| As the election mood gathers momentum across the country, we take this opportunity to remind the whole cross section of Zimbabweans, inclusive of the government, of the sacrosanct duty to observe, recognize and uphold the supreme law of the land throughout the whole process.

Section 67 of our constitution provides for universal adult suffrage as an inalienable right. The right of every adult Zimbabwean to belong to any political party of their choice in whatever capacity, is constitutionally guaranteed, not criminalised.

Political violence, itself symptomatic of deep-seated intolerance, is a cancerous phenomenon that has been characteristic of our electoral processes over the years, and whose poisonous influence has often negatively affected the legitimacy thereof, justifiably so.

It is hereby put forward that the country can never move forward on the developmental agenda without addressing the legitimacy and credibility of our electoral processes and outcomes. To that end, constitutionalism is key, as all mechanisms to ensure free, fair, legitimate and credible elections are enshrined herein. Adherence to these is the only way to go for all citizens.

One tragedy of our democracy has been voter apathy, with a large chunk of our eligible population rather choosing not to participate in electoral processes. It surely must be impressed upon our people that voting is a patriotic duty, one which gives the citizenry the chance to determine the national destiny by electing into public offices individuals and political institutions with the right personalities, policies and programs to take the country forward. We hereby urge all Zimbabweans to register and vote in the coming harmonised elections. Being very much alive to the gross, flagrant human right violations (often state-sponsored) that have always been characteristic of our democratic processes, we hereby call for all citizens and institutions involved to shun violence and preach peace. We should all confine violence, abductions, killings and other such evils to our dark past and move forward as a tolerant, united, peace-loving nation.

Zimbabwe can not afford another illegitimate election, and each stakeholder should play their part. The state should take the lead in leveling the playing field; repressive, draconian pieces of legislation like AIPPA and POSA should be unconditionally repealed as they have no place whatsoever in a modern democracy.

It is high time we embrace diversity and political tolerance for the betterment of our country.