PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS JULY 2006
JOINT PROCLAMATION TO THE NATION FROM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC,
Church and Society
The Church does not exist for the sake of the Church; it was founded by Jesus Christ as a powerful sign of the
Prayerful Reflection
We invite each of us according to his or her belief to pray fervently during this period of election that God may enlighten our hearts and guide our Nation. The Church in calling the nation to prayer does so in order:
• To lend a neutral and common voice to the forthcoming proceedings
• To assure the nation that the Church is paying attention to national concerns
• To help all citizens to approach their right and duty as voters in the proper manner
• To remind those in government that their authority comes from the citizens of the country and ultimately from God himself. Their decisions, actions and declarations as leaders are accountable to the nation and to God
• To give thanks to God for all the blessings bestowed on our nation.
The Gift of Freedom
Every person is blessed with the gift of freedom, a gift which comes from God and is enshrined in the Constitution of the country. The exercise of this gift enables us to choose and thus carries considerable responsibility.
When we participate in the electoral process we affirm this gift of choice as the highest form of civic duty. However, while we recognise that each may have a personal choice in the candidates they support, we stress the need for respect of each others right to make this choice in the spirit of freedom, tolerance and political maturity.
To this end, we plead with political candidates and their respective supporters to engage in actions, use language and words, promote slogans and posters that respect political opponents and safeguard the peace, unity and integrity of our nation.
Free and Fair Election
Democracy is a sacred right that is safeguarded in the Constitution. The ideal democracy views all citizens to be of the same value and importance. Each citizen has the right to be respected; therefore, any pressure, any threat or even intimidation should not be tolerated. We strongly recommend that:
During the election campaigning and voting period citizens need to be assured of a peaceful, harmonious and stable democratic environment. Every candidate should be able to express himself/herself under the same condition. In this regard we look to the media to approach this matter with absolute fairness.
Freedom in organising meetings, clear and transparent financing policy and distribution of funds to the different parties should be rigorously observed.
We should be attentive to the sick and elderly during the time of election. Let us be gentle and patient with them so that they can exercise their right to vote with a dignity and freedom that fully respect their frail condition.
Advice to Voters
A word of advice to the voters:
• As you proceed to exercise your right to vote think seriously before doing so; pause to consider the merits of the candidates and their capacity to propose and ability to execute a viable vision, project and plan in the interest of everyone.
• A citizen who respects himself/herself does not sell his/her vote in exchange for any advantage (money, alcohol, gifts, promises and such like)
• To exchange or sell ones vote is a cowardly act which goes against all civic duty
• It is a grave social and moral sin to pay people to vote or not to vote; this erodes political fairness, justice and honesty.
• The challenge here is for both voters and candidates to exercise moral and honourable behaviour
Voting Procedures
On the day of election, let us honour the right to secrecy and all the rules associated with a democratically run election such as: the age of voters, the honesty and objective role of polling officers and all other agents in the polling stations. The aim is to strive to conduct an election to which at the end of the day all of us should be able to say that it was truly “Free and Fair”. Ultimately, it should withstand any scrutiny or adverse challenge. For this to take place the role of the Electoral Commissioner and support staff is of vital importance.
Resist Violence
Violence creates an ugly and hostile atmosphere. There is never any common good resulting from violent activities; and nobody wins because people live in fear and as the famous adage says: ‘violence begets violence’.
We commend to all political parties and their leaders the responsibility and self discipline that will avoid provocation by words and actions of opponents which often lead to violent confrontations.
We call upon the police officers to be ever vigilant and to exercise their duty with maturity, restraint and professionalism. As with the Judiciary, the police should resist the temptation to take sides, and bring to justice those accused of disrupting the peace from any political party.
The same applies to the armed forces. In the unlikely event that they should be called upon during the electoral campaign and on Election Day they should not appear or act in a manner that could provoke and/or intimidate the peace and stability of the entire electoral process.
Elections’ Result
We urge all political candidates, their supporters and members of the army and police forces to respect the eventual outcome of the elections.
Conclusion
We welcome the presence of international observers and remind the nation that the world is looking at the conduct and outcome of the elections. The reason for elections is seek the will of the people as to who may be their choice to govern them. By showing our political maturity and national commitment let us continue to make
We pray for the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their respective supporters.
We, as Seychellois, pride ourselves in being a peace loving people, and the way we exercise our civic and political duty will continue to bear testimony to this truth.
May God our protector, provider and guide, through
His Spirit continue to bless and strengthen our country and people
In His Name we pray! Amen!!!
Bishop Denis Wiehe Bishop Santosh Marray Pastor Hermitte Freminot