Vuwa, Mhone pledge violence free elections
As the 2014 tripartite elections draw closer, two sworn in political rivals in Nkhata-Bay Central constituency, Simon Vuwa Kaunda and lawyer Ralph Mhone have pledged to make sure that the elections are violent free, contrary to what happened in the 2009 elections.
Prior to the 2009 elections which Vuwa Kaunda defeated Mhone; ugly scenes were witnessed in the constituency as supporters of the two rival camps heavily clashed.
But speaking in separate interviews, the two said this time around there will not be any kind of violence as they will practice issue based campaign.
“This year’s elections will be different from the ones we had in the past. Remember this is an issue based election hence there will never be any chance to use violence or intimidation to your competitor.
Only those with real issues will sail through so if one embarks on violence, then definitely he misses the plot since it’s about real issues that affect people that will matter at the end,” said Vuwa Kaunda on Wednesday on the sidelines of a get together ceremony with his supporters in the district.
Kaunda further said for him to use violence as a means of winning the seat is uncalled for since it’s the development works that he has initiated in the constituency that will speak for him.
“Throughout the period i have been a parliamentarian have tirelessly worked hard to make sure that this area develops. I have initiated developments such as a tarmac road from the boma to Chikale resort area.
Even the much touted Nkhata-Bay district hospital that is being underway came here because of my influence. For the district to have that hospital, it needed somebody who could push for that and i challenge you that it’s me who pushed for that hospital to be here, concluded Vuwa Kaunda.
On his part, lawyer cum business magnet Ralph Mhone said he does not think violence will form part and parcel of the 2014 elections since he believes in real issues not mere political bickering and mudslinging.
“Even if you look at what happened in the 2009 elections, my supporters were not violent but they were victims because the other side were the ones provoking us and we reported to police but we weren’t helped. My supporters were not violent only that they retaliated as a way of self defence.
But that was then, this time around, me and the party (PP) are violent free. We believe that if we bank all our energy on issues it’s when we can win the elections because people want real issues that affect them not mere lies,” said Mhone.
He further claimed that he cannot use violence as a means of winning the elections since people from the constituency know that the incumbent (Vuwa Kaunda) has failed to develop the area and will resort to him this time.
“People of this area need development oriented leaders and am capable of developing this area since i have already initiated projects in the constituency.
I have installed piped water almost half the constituency. This is what people need here,” concluded Mhone.
In the 2009 elections, Vuwa Kaunda won the seat on a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket while Mhone stood an independent ticket. This time around, Mhone will stand on the ruling People’s Party ticket while Kaunda will still represent DPP.
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