Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V of the Jere Ngoni has called on traditional leaders to be neutral by adhering to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) code of conduct ahead of the September 16 General Election.
The paramount chief was speaking on Saturday during Mtwalo Day celebrations at Ezondweni in Mzimba.
Said M’Mbelwa: “Let us follow the code of conduct. Gone are the days when one would go and endorse someone for people to follow.
“I think that would be corrupting the political environment. Already we are battling political violence and I would like to condemn that in the strongest terms.”
Article 6 of the MEC electoral code of conduct for chiefs during elections lays duties and responsibilities for chiefs to be non-partisan, refrain from and condemn all forms of bribery and corruption, refrain from promoting violence and disunity by promoting a peaceful campaign and elections and displaying tolerance for diversity and non-discriminatory behaviour.
Article 7 of the code adds that senior chiefs, in accordance with seniority and hierarchy, shall assist and cooperate with the commission in ensuring that all chiefs are complying with the code of conduct.
In its report, the 2019 European Union elections observer mission recommended that effective measures should be introduced for monitoring and sanctioning of partisan behaviour by traditional authorities.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the Mtwalo Day celebrations, Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara called on chiefs to access and examine manifestos of politicians ahead of the elections to support those that can drive transformation.
The Speaker, who is Mzimba North East legislator, said chiefs should look at manifestos and assess individual politicians’ track records. She said it is the duty of politicians to influence chiefs and make sure that traditional leaders are on their side.
Said Gotani Hara: “They will be looking at my track record. They will be looking at what I am promising and what I can do for them as an MP [member of Parliament], for example. I know I have not finished doing everything.
“I have to build more bridges and schoolblocks. Everyone feels politicians tell chiefs to influence their people on who to vote for. I know my opponents will do the same.”
Gotni Hara was interviewed to comment on M’Mbelwa IV’s remarks as she was the only prominent politician at the event.
Commenting on her sentiments in an interview yesterday, Political Science Association spokesperson Mabvuto Bamusi said the remarks are tantamount to manipulating the chiefs.
He said: “Gotani Hara is exerting undue influence on traditional authorities, and she is indirectly arm-twisting the chiefs to support her party, Malawi Congress Party. This is a form of political corruption, a malpractice and a form of electoral fraud which must be condemned.”
Despite the election observer mission recommendations and indeed the MEC code of conduct dating back to November 2018, traditional leaders in Malawi have been known to play a partisan role in Malawi’s elections, usually siding with the party in power.
