Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has set the tone for the 60-day official campaign for the September 16 General Election, assuring stakeholders of security and warning of consequences for breach of codes of conduct.
MEC director of public relations and communications Sangwani Mwafulirwa said in an interview in Lilongwe yesterday that candidates and political parties will sign codes of conduct which clearly forbids players from engaging in violence.
expectation. | George Singini
He said political parties and candidates were already given copies of the code of conduct when collecting nomination papers and are expected to handover signed copies to the electoral body when presenting their nomination papers.
Said Mwafulirwa: “All the candidates and political parties contesting in the election will be bound to sign the code of conduct.
“Should they violate it, the commission has been given powers to institute a disciplinary process where that person can be heard and should it be proved that they really violated that code of conduct, the commission has got powers to mete out penalties which may include disqualifying a political party or a candidate that is concerned.”
He said aggrieved parties will also have the option to lodge a complaint with the police as a criminal case.
Mwafulirwa said the commission will work with security institutions to ensure a violence free campaign, adding that there is an electoral task force in place comprising all security institutions in the country.
Political parties have since expressed their desire to see a violence-free campaign and law enforcers acting professionally.
In an interview yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) director of elections Jean Mathanga said her party expects law enforcement agencies, especially the police, to perform their duties.
“Should there be any issues of violence and we go and complain, we are hoping that the police are going to react accordingly and fairly across the board. That is our expectation,” she said.
Mathanga said DPP was also encouraging its members to refrain from violence and hate speeches. Besides, she said DPP will be arranging security at its rallies to guarantee the safety of attendees.
She also implored political parties against creating “no-go zones” to allow everyone to freely campaign and in the process curb violence.
In a separate interview, United Democratic Front (UDF) spokesperson Dyson Jangiya said MEC should be strict on the issue of violence as the UDF is keen to see a violence-free campaign so that voters are reached with messages without any hindrance.
He also called on law enforcement agencies to bring to book all culprits.
UTM Party deputy publicity secretary Arthur Chipungu said his party has always deplored violence and called on police to ensure that they protect everyone.
On his part, People’s Party secretary general Ben Chakhame also said a violence-free election campaign will be possible if police decisively handle cases of violence.
He said: “We have seen the police being hired to cover primaries of certain political parties, but we have seen election materials being damaged or trashed away in full view of the police. That is very worrisome to us.”
Chakhame also urged political leaders to denounce violence.
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) spokesperson Annie Amatullah Maluwa said the party wants to see an issue-based campaign.
She said her party has also always encouraged its members to promote peace and unity.
“We are appealing to all Malawians to say no to violence. We have only one Malawi and if we destroy this Malawi we will not have another Malawi,” said Maluwa.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said the police are prepared and ready to provide security to everyone.
“Malawians should not be worried, we will ensure security throughout the process including during and after polling,” he said.
However, Kalaya called on political parties to take part in promoting security. He called on parties and political leaders to avoid inciting violence.
In recent months, Malawi Police Service has come under the spotlight for failing to decisively deal with cases of political violence, including where incidents have happened in full view of its officers.
Stakeholders have warned that the police’s laxity in dealing with violence could be a recipe for voter apathy on September 16.
