By John Murwira

AS 2023 general elections beckon, Zimbabweans from across the political divide are hoping for peaceful, free and fair polls that will usher a leadership reflective of the people`s will.

In cross-cutting interviews conducted by Mash West Times, the clergy, civil society leaders and the general populace called for calm, as a peaceful environment is an enabler for economic, social and political development.

The country is already in election mode and merely waiting for presidential proclamation of official dates, when the watershed polls will be held.

Senator Chief Ngezi said now that the nation was heading towards elections, there was need for citizens to heed call for peace to prevail before, during and after the plebiscites.

"President Mnangagwa remains our beacon of peace ,and now that we are entering an election phase, as traditional leaders ,we are calling up all Zimbabweans to embrace each other, and shun hate speech.”

"Let the campaigns be peaceful in nature as we must know that an election comes and goes, so violence will not yield any positive results since after elections we will be brothers and sisters like what we were before," he said.

Zanu PF Mashonaland West Provincial Secretary for Administration, Misheck Nyarubero echoed the same sentiments saying stability should be exhibited before, during and after the harmonized elections. 

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"Let`s adopt a bold stance against violence and in the process shame detractors and critics who are bent on tarnishing the image of the country whenever we hold elections.

"We must be very careful as our detractors remain persistent in their pursuit of illegal regime change agenda.

"They continue to inflict harm our country through illegal sanctions," said Nyarubero.

Looklife Zvaraveshe, Zanu PF Provincial Youth Executive Member, called on young people to tolerate each other.

"As the youth we must be at the forefront, championing peace, tolerate each other despite political differences and heed the call by his Excellency President Mnangagwa,for the need to hold our elections in peace," he said.

Pan African Chamber of Commerce board member, Langton Mabanga insisted on the need to uphold a peaceful environment in the country, during election period, in order to safeguard the different facets of development the country has witnessed.

"Our interdependence and inter-connectiveness, as a people should foster an inherent (unity) between and amongst us," he said.

Mabanga added that a lot has been unitedly achieved during tenure of the incumbent government and that spirit needs to be maintained.

Mabanga pointed out that the gains of independence were not meant to divide people.

"We can hold 2023 harmonized elections with the collective responsibility, respect and great honor for our institutions," added Mabanga.

Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) Chinhoyi District Chapter Chairman, Jacob Mafukidze said the church was there to usher in a culture of peace and make sure the nation holds elections peacefully.

"Elections are a constitutional process that allows a democratic expression of the will of the people, of Zimbabwe to choose their desired leaders. This provision is to be safeguarded by a conducive, peaceful environment, before, during and after elections."

Chinhoyi Residents Trust Coordinator, Peter Liwanda said there was need for government to capacitate institutions that support democracy.

"Government must make sure these institutions, ZEC, NPRC and ZHRC have systems in place to prevent political violence and to give remedies, where political violations occur," said Liwanda.