Mesn uncovers politically motivated violence
A report by Malawi Electoral Support Network (Mesn) says there is a worrisome trend that is becoming a fertile ground for electoral malpractices and political confrontation likely to compromise the desired quality of the elections.
The Mesn report follows a Long Term Observations (LTO) in March which is just one of the efforts being used by the electoral stakeholders to collect information on the conduct of the elections.
The analysis, which was done by deploying observers and a selection of political “hot spots” locations during the coming elections, was conducted in 84 constituencies.
In all the 28 districts in the country, observers were tasked to document the candidate nomination process, inspection of voters’ registrar, incidents, and also conduct interviews with election stakeholders, political parties and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
The report signed by Mesn board chairperson, Steve Duwa, says there continues to be pockets of violence, harassment and other incidents that are politically motivated.
The study says, when analysed by region, the Southern Region had the bulk of the incidences accumulated as out of 65 incidences recorded, 40 incidences (61.5%) came from the Southern Region, 16 (24.6%) came from the Northern Region and 9 (13.8%) came from the Central Region.
“A total of 65 incidences were recorded. The cases included two cases of abuse of State resources and public office, 10 cases of disruption of political campaigns activities, seven places designated as ‘no-go zones’, eight cases of reported voter ID buying cases, 15 cases of intimidation,” says the report.
