‘Nobody should die because of politics’
The Mzuzu Multiparty Liaison Committee (MPLC) has vowed that no one should die because of politics as Malawi prepares for the 2014 tripartite polls.
The group unanimously agreed after hearing anecdotal evidence that some political parties have to date not condoled yet their members who lost their lives during the 2009 polls.
“In Mulanje a man was killed during the 2009 polls but up to now nobody or political party has assisted her. We do not want to be killed because of politics. We should not experience any death in the 2014 electoral process,” said Doc Mwale.
Mwale is facilitating the Malawi German Program for Support of Democratic Decentralization funded two-day conflict resolution-training workshop for the Mzuzu MPLC.
However, Mwale hailed the Mzuzu MPLC for exceptional performance in 2009 polls saying it should excel again in 2014.
The Malawi Electoral Commission established MPLC in 2000 with the objective of preventing and resolving political and electoral related conflicts. Membership comprises of political parties, Civil Society and government representatives.
Mzuzu City Chief Executive Officer Thomas Chirwa, who also chairs the MPLC, said the grouping must embrace teamwork saying decision must be done collectively therefore not individual.
Nevertheless, UDF representative Goodson Phiri said usually violence flares because Presiding Officers favor ruling party monitors at the expense of others.
“For instance, if a visually impaired person comes to vote, Presiding Officers do not allow other monitors to assist him or her in the voting process. This sometimes causes violence,” Phiri said.
Malawi will hold its elections on May 20 and constituents will vote for a Member of Parliament, councilor and president of the country at one go.
He then called for unity; respect for each other, immunity to issues discussed for free and fair elections. – MEC Stringer
