The beauty of democracy displayed in the United Kingdom

Elections in United Kingdom signify the beauty of Democracy, Political Parties and the People of that country must be commended for once again showing tolerance and respect for divergent views.

We have always argued that modern functional states are governed through a liberal democratic construct in respect of which the citizenry is free to elect the leadership. Free, fair and regular elections empower the citizen to be the master over a political elite which left on its own will pursue narrow anti- people agendas.

In our case elections have been designed to ensure reproduction of ZANU PF's predatory, militarized and undemocratic rule based on patronage and crony capitalism as the main outcome.

If elections in the United Kingdom had been held under the current framework there is no doubt that Jeremy Corbyn or his supporters would have been thrown into prison.

Some would have been maimed and killed in cold blood, history has seen 20 000 people killed in the infamous Gukurahundi of the 1980s.Thousands more were killed in election related violence from the 1990s to date.

Many people have been abducted in broad day light, with some disappearing for good, tragic stories have been told about midnight knocks on the door by strangers and that would be the last time a family saw their father.  

Recently violence has flared; ZANUPF thugs attacked a senior member of the PDP Youth Assembly following an Africa Day celebration rally in Mabvuku.

A few days ago ZANUPF youths made threats to take up arms to crush dissenting voices; such utterances have no place in a modern society.

Another important lesson from this election is the idea that no one owns the citizen, the electorate at one point or the other can choose leaders whose ideology and policy articulation addresses their fears, interests and aspirations. ZANUPF behaves like a party which created the people of Zimbabwe who in return owe unwavering political loyalty.

Before this election no one gave Corbyn and his team a chance however a good show and clear ideological articulation resonated with a significant demography of the United Kingdom electorate.

These numbers also reflect the rejection of the far right, nationalist agenda which motivated Brexit.

Corbyn put up a good fight to stop this agenda the same way Emmanuel Macron did in the recent French election. The far right, nationalist agenda has been worryingly on the rise in many parts of the world.

Allowing the people to exercise their right to choose must therefore be commended; African States must take a leaf. Our leaders must accept that in modern society, elections make an integral part of a constitutional democracy; their sanctity must therefore be preserved.

The balance sheet of liberal democracy on the African continent remains chequered but in reality there is no sustainable alternative to democracy. As a matter of fact authoritarianism has resulted in catastrophic results in some cases developing into armed conflicts and permanent instability.
 
The People of Zimbabwe must not participate in violent activities undermining fellow citizens' right to join or participate in activities of political parties of their choice.
 
The next election must be peaceful, with no coercion and intimidation otherwise it will be another waste of state resources and a stampede into the grave train of illegitimate elections.