Yiepetso Wezah
Pfutsero
Clean Election movement spearheaded by the churches and civil societies educate the citizens of the state not to buy and sell votes. Many believers and concerned citizens are not taking bribes. They know that it is evil to sell their votes. Those who have taken bribe have sold themselves to the candidates. They are purchased like domestic animals. They are not they owned, they belong to someone who bribed them. They become valueless, voiceless and powerless. When the candidates win the election, they do not have to help those who have taken bribe because they are already paid. The contesting candidates know this very well.
In spite of knowing the evil of bribery, the contesting candidates seem to be competing in buying votes in order to win the election. They distribute money to individuals and households. However, Clean Election Movement has a good impact. Indeed, it is helping the contesting candidates. Many committed Christians refuse to take money from the candidates and party workers. They signed Clean Election Pledge Card and sticking to their commitment to God. God must be very pleased with them. But those who are not born again Christians are demanding more money from contesting candidates. They seem to be costlier.
What does the word of God says about bribery or buying and selling votes? The word of God clearly states that it is evil. Exodus 23:8 says, “You shall not take bribe, for a bride blinds the officials, and the cause of those who are in the right.” Deut. 27:25 states, “curse be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.” Bribery is evil and thus it is a curse. It is a sin for it breaks the law of God. It further says. “a gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath” (Proverbs 21:14).
The anger of the Lord is upon those who give bribe and those who take bribe. Because bribery prevents justice, it takes away development fund; it takes away the share of the poor and needy people. Those who pay bribe and take bribe secretly take away public money that is for the development of good roads, good educational institutions, good hospitals and for the improvement of our economy. Therefore, it is a sin and God’s wrong wrath will be upon those people.
Only few days left to cast votes, candidates and party workers may come to your home to plea for votes. They may give you Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 30,000/- or less or more. When they come to us let us pray with them. But do not take bribe. We decide and vote for the candidate we think best for the society. It would be very righteous before God that we do not to sell our votes. We are created in the image of God. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We belong to God. It will be a curse to sell ourselves. Let us not make ourselves cheap like purchasable commodity. May God guard us from the temptation of bribery.
