Party leaders condemn chiefs
Party leaders in Lilongwe Msinja South took a swipe at some traditional leaders who favor certain political parties saying this is recipe for political violence in the run up to the forthcoming tripartite elections.
This came out clearly at Dickson TDC when the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) conducted training on conflict management during electoral process.
The communities including leaders of political parties bemoaned the tendency by some chiefs who tell other parties their areas is a no go zone for other political parties hence deny them venues to conduct rallies.
Gervasio Alberto, constituency governor for National Salvation Front said his party was denied a venue to conduct a rally and was told that the constituency belongs to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and therefore it is a no go zone for other parties.
“We were very disappointed with the chief for taking a partisan stand. Chiefs are supposed to be accommodative to each and everyone and had it been that we were not tolerant this could have been a source of violence on that particular day,” said Alberto.
He further said his party wants a violent free election where people will give a chance to choose leaders who will meet their aspirations without undue influence from other quarters.
A People’s Party (PP) Secretary Gift Zimveka agreed with his Nasaf counterpart saying in the run up to the forthcoming elections they clean politics and asked the chiefs to lead the way.
“Chiefs are our custodians and it is therefore not amusing to see a chief overtly taking a partisan stand. We urge them to embrace everyone because people under their jurisdiction come different political persuasions” said Zimveka.
He further called other party leaders to concentrate on issues that will develop the nation and stop castigating each other as this leads to violence during the electoral process.
“People in our communities have woken up from a deep slumber. They want issues that uplift their lives and not handouts,” said Zimveka.
District Civic Education Officer for Lilongwe Daniel Malango said they conducted the trainings in order to prepare the party leaders for free, fair and credible elections.
Participants were drawn from all political parties who are active in the constituency.
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