Findings by Chisankho Watch election observer team show that the official campaign period for the September 16 General Election is marred by widespread violence, intimidation, vote-buying and creation of political ‘no-go zones’.
Chisankho Watch, a coalition of civil society groups on elections, yesterday released its first assessment covering the initial two weeks of the official campaign period which Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) launched on July 14 and will end on September 14, covering 60 days.
The report shows that there are targeted electoral malpractices and documented eight verified critical incidents and widespread systemic issues such as handouts and abuse of State resources across multiple districts.
In an interview yesterday, Chisankho Watch board chairperson Gilford Matonga said that while the incidents are not uniform nationwide, they represent dangerous hotspots.
He said: “Yes, the incidents were recorded across all three regions concentrated in specific districts such as Mwanza, Balaka, Blantyre, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Dedza, Mangochi, Nkhata Bay, Salima, Thyolo and Mzimba,
“It is important, however, to recognise that this distribution pattern is significant: it shows that while the overall pre-election environment remains largely peaceful, with most communities benefiting from orderly campaigns and robust voter education, there are pockets of heightened tension. It is important that the nation pays attention to this so that it does not affect the process.”
In Mwanza District, an altercation erupted between supporters of the UTM Party and an independent candidate who had declared a ‘no-go zone’ in the area, according to the report.
The report said one youth supporting the independent candidate was injured, and according to the report, police presence was absent.
Reads the report summary in part: “Using government resources [vehicles, funds, or facilities] for campaign purposes continues to be reported by observers. During this period, 13 percent of observers reported instances of misuse of state resources. Observers in various districts documented incidents.”
Similar cases were reported in Lilongwe where a governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) official threatened a female candidate campaigning in Mpenu and Dedza ,where an Independent parliamentary candidate declared the central constituency off-limits to opponents.
In Zingwangwa, Blantyre a male MCP MP candidate allegedly used sexist language targeted at a DPP female candidate during a rally and unknown suspects destroyed campaign posters for an independent parliamentary candidate in Ndirande-Makata area in the same city.
The report further stated that traditional leaders in Kasungu North West openly campaigned for MCP while Muslim leaders in Mangochi urged their faithful to vote only for Muslim candidates.
On handouts, 16 percent of observers recorded candidates or parties distributing money, food, or gifts at rallies. This practice was specifically noted in Lilongwe, Nkhata Bay, Blantyre, Salima, Mwanza and Balaka.
Reacting to the findings, MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the commission had no record of complaints regarding no-go zones, violence, or many of the specific incidents highlighted by the report.
In a separate interview yesterday, registrar of political parties Kizito Tenthani acknowledged the complaints process, but was quick to point out its deliberate pace.
Centre for Multiparty Democracy executive director Boniface Chibwana called the situation unfortunate after what he said were repeated stakeholder engagements.
Last week, the registrar ordered MCP and President Lazarus Chakwera to stop giving handouts during the campaign or risk a fine.
