Stop the violence and inculcate democratic values ahead of polls

Peaceful and prosperous nations have one thing in common — a positive political culture. This entails the pursuit, capture and retention of political power without recourse to barbarism. Proper political manners demand respect for your rivals in spite of ideological differences, ethnic background, social status, belief or creed. Positive political culture is thus the collective mental maturity to accept defeat gracefully and move on without tearing the country apart. It is also the ability to conduct political business gracefully without disrupting economic and social rhythms.

It is not an endless shifting of goalposts when you sense defeat. It cannot be the ability to present scores of unfounded claims against your opponent, and public institutions. These are the values that should have been defined in the political party nominations. However, the reality that confronts us is unsettling.