Malawi electoral commission warned
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The newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) 2009 Presidential candidate, Dr Bakili Muluzi has strongly warned the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) against rigging the electoral process for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the runner up to the May 19 polls.
In his address during the party's convention, Muluzi who is also the party's National Chairman said MEC as a constitutionally instituted body needs to exercise its duties in an impartial manner that would build confidence in all stakeholders in the elections.
"These elections are very crucial. We will not allow what has happened in Zimbabwe or Kenya to happen here. We want the process to be a smooth one. If you play around with some crucial aspects on the polls, you are bound to regret," Muluzi told the convention delegates that unanimously gave him the nod to lead the party in the elections.
"As a democratic leader, I am so concerned with what has happened recently in Kenya and Zimbabwe and I don't want that to take place in this country, for that reason I would like to warn the Malawi Electoral Commission to make sure the 2009 elections shall be conducted in a free and fair manner," said the UDF party torch bearer.
Muluzi said what has happened in the two countries was a ploy to kill democracy in Africa, a move, which he said, would put the integrity of Africa at stake.
"How can one hold results from elections? If you chose democracy, then you be prepared to face the results. If one thinks the tricks Mugabe applied in Zimbabwe could work here, then he is making a mistake. You should forget that," he said amid applause from the packed hall.
At this point, delegates to the convention resolved to ask the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to expeditiously make known results of the presidential contest to avoid the country from "being plagued by civil conflicts".
The delegates noted that delaying the results of the president was further increasing among people in the country, a situation, which they said, could plunge the country into anarchy.
Muluzi indicated that as presidential candidate for the opposition UDF, in the impending general elections he will not allow his party to be associated with 'post-elections' violence during or after the ballot vote.
"I would like to inform the general public that UDF will not tolerate any disturbances during or after the 2009 elections. Malawi Electoral Commission must make sure never to take sides during the elections because my party does not want to see Malawians going through what other countries have experienced in the recent past as a result of
unfair elections" he said.
He also noted that the incumbent government continues to monopolize the use of public media such as Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Malawi Television (TVM) and Ministry of Information and Civic Education, which are propagating falsehoods, untruths and outright propaganda against opposition leaders, particularly those in UDF.
The party condemned the hate-speeches aired on MBC and TVM and wondered why such defamatory disinformation statements are allowed to be broadcast on public radio and television stations that are run on taxpayers' money, thus questioning why MEC is doing nothing to stop the propagation of such programs.
Taking cognizance of the commitment to the development and sustenance of democracy within the SADC region as agreed and signed into various conventions, protocols, constitutional frameworks of the individual SADC counties, Muluzi asked the international community to help Zimbabwe for the continuance of peace in Southern Africa.
"I would like to urge the international community to do assist the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering from the effects of a repressive regime.
"We must not jeopardize the freedom that most of us have fought for in this region, democracy should not be practiced on a part-time basis but should rather be sustained," indicated Muluzi.
In regard to national security, the former head of state condemned the Malawi Police Service (MPS) for being unprofessional. He was referring to the recent unfortunate events where over 200 members of the UDF have been and detained by the police on politically motivated charges.
"The Malawi Police Service is for every individual in this country; therefore I am asking them to exercise their constitutional duty of being non-partisan, impartial and serve the people without regard to political affiliations, social status, creed or race.
"The opposition in this country has been subjected to harassment, intimidation and general persecution at the behest of the state, which uses the police and such state organs," observed the UDF presidential candidate. (Additional reporting by Praise Liomba).
In his address during the party's convention, Muluzi who is also the party's National Chairman said MEC as a constitutionally instituted body needs to exercise its duties in an impartial manner that would build confidence in all stakeholders in the elections.
"These elections are very crucial. We will not allow what has happened in Zimbabwe or Kenya to happen here. We want the process to be a smooth one. If you play around with some crucial aspects on the polls, you are bound to regret," Muluzi told the convention delegates that unanimously gave him the nod to lead the party in the elections.
"As a democratic leader, I am so concerned with what has happened recently in Kenya and Zimbabwe and I don't want that to take place in this country, for that reason I would like to warn the Malawi Electoral Commission to make sure the 2009 elections shall be conducted in a free and fair manner," said the UDF party torch bearer.
Muluzi said what has happened in the two countries was a ploy to kill democracy in Africa, a move, which he said, would put the integrity of Africa at stake.
"How can one hold results from elections? If you chose democracy, then you be prepared to face the results. If one thinks the tricks Mugabe applied in Zimbabwe could work here, then he is making a mistake. You should forget that," he said amid applause from the packed hall.
At this point, delegates to the convention resolved to ask the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to expeditiously make known results of the presidential contest to avoid the country from "being plagued by civil conflicts".
The delegates noted that delaying the results of the president was further increasing among people in the country, a situation, which they said, could plunge the country into anarchy.
Muluzi indicated that as presidential candidate for the opposition UDF, in the impending general elections he will not allow his party to be associated with 'post-elections' violence during or after the ballot vote.
"I would like to inform the general public that UDF will not tolerate any disturbances during or after the 2009 elections. Malawi Electoral Commission must make sure never to take sides during the elections because my party does not want to see Malawians going through what other countries have experienced in the recent past as a result of
unfair elections" he said.
He also noted that the incumbent government continues to monopolize the use of public media such as Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Malawi Television (TVM) and Ministry of Information and Civic Education, which are propagating falsehoods, untruths and outright propaganda against opposition leaders, particularly those in UDF.
The party condemned the hate-speeches aired on MBC and TVM and wondered why such defamatory disinformation statements are allowed to be broadcast on public radio and television stations that are run on taxpayers' money, thus questioning why MEC is doing nothing to stop the propagation of such programs.
Taking cognizance of the commitment to the development and sustenance of democracy within the SADC region as agreed and signed into various conventions, protocols, constitutional frameworks of the individual SADC counties, Muluzi asked the international community to help Zimbabwe for the continuance of peace in Southern Africa.
"I would like to urge the international community to do assist the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering from the effects of a repressive regime.
"We must not jeopardize the freedom that most of us have fought for in this region, democracy should not be practiced on a part-time basis but should rather be sustained," indicated Muluzi.
In regard to national security, the former head of state condemned the Malawi Police Service (MPS) for being unprofessional. He was referring to the recent unfortunate events where over 200 members of the UDF have been and detained by the police on politically motivated charges.
"The Malawi Police Service is for every individual in this country; therefore I am asking them to exercise their constitutional duty of being non-partisan, impartial and serve the people without regard to political affiliations, social status, creed or race.
"The opposition in this country has been subjected to harassment, intimidation and general persecution at the behest of the state, which uses the police and such state organs," observed the UDF presidential candidate. (Additional reporting by Praise Liomba).
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