Chakwera riles DPP for political violence: MCP complains to Malawi Electoral Commission

Political campaign has closed in Milonde ward in Mulanje ahead of Tuesday’a local government by-electiond, a campaign marred by violence and opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has since complained to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

Some MCP members  have been left injured as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  cadets hacked the opposition followers  in a bid to influence the poll results.

The violence  left one person in hospital.

MCP president Lazarus Chakwera said what happened in Milonde ward was undemocratic.

“This should not happen in democratic Malawi. Nobody should be allowed to spill the blood of another person in the name of party allegiance,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera said MCP had already registered its displeasure and complaint with the electoral body and they hope the commission would take necessary measures to curb such behaviour.

The MCP president  condemned what happened in Mulanje, saying it is a retrogression “which has no place in the country’s modern democracy”.

He said Malawians are not stupid to continue supporting individuals who are interested in political violence.

Chakwera called on other political parties to learn to tolerate diverse views, which, he said, is one of the tenets of democracy which Malawians chose in 1993.

“This is a litmus test for Mec. We registered our concern with them. If they are not able to handle a small by-election by failing to act on the violence in Milonde, how can they be trusted that they will be on top of their game in 2019,” Chakwera said.

Said Chakwera: “We are headed for general elections next year. We do not want this kind of behaviour. Nobody should spill blood of another person in the name of party allegiance.

“As leaders, we must condemn this and live together as Malawians. Somebody says ‘if we are those kind of fools we will perish together’ and Malawians are no fools and, therefore, do not let a few misguided individuals ruin the fact that we are but one nation.”

He said Malawians chose democracy as such it was important to respect each other’s desires by campaigning freely while articulating issues that would unite and build the nation and not destroy it.

Milonde Ward has five candidates that include Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Mike Skinner, Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) Donata Nyanga and three independent candidates; Mavuto Lackson Michael, Leo Roy Pangani and Cidreck Dickies Somanje.

A win by the MCP in the DPP stronghold might not change the political power in the DPP dominated Mulanje District Council but it will boost the morale of the opposition which, of late has been winning elections in the DPP dominated south

 

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