DPP accused of disrupting other parties campaign meetings in Kasungu

Independent candidates including opposition Malawi Congress party (MCP) officials in Kasungu Central constituency have accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party(DPP) of disrupting their political meetings.

One of the independent candidates Gerald Phiri told MEC reporter in an interview Thursday that since the official political campaign was launched on October 20 this year , he has made meetings twice but both were disrupted by DPP members.

Political parties and independent candidates take part in by-elections administered by Malawi Electoral Commission to fill vacancy created by a DPP councilor BernadTheu who died in July this year.

But in an interview the DPP District Governor for Kasungu, Osward Chirwa dismissed the claims.

Phiri, formerly of DPP,  claims he has not been at peace since he announced he was contesting as an independent candidate after  he accused the senior officials of rigging the primary elections which fell in favour of his counterpart PhilemonTheu.

“DPP twice sent its members who announced at my meetings that they are giving out free maize and rice to people and urged those willing to benefit to register with them.”Phiri said adding that at same time people left him alone.

The development comes barely three weeks after DPP’s General Secretary EcklenKudontoni  told this MEC reporter he would bar Phiri from contesting as an independent candidate to avoid dividing the party’s votes.

MCO’s official Grace Kapandula of Msokwa village also collaborated on the claims saying twice similar announcements were made but people are yet to receive maize and rice.

He said with hunger striking hard in Kasungu people have no choice but to dump party  meetings and  rush for  free maize.

But Chirwa said his party has no maize or rice and at no day it  made such communications.

Chirwa thinks such allegations were made because other political groupings are scared with DPP.

Phiri and Kapandula said they thought food distribution was a government programme and could not report to police.

Kasungu police Unit officer-in-charge Angel Muanga and Malawi Electoral Commission Acting Spokesperson Richard Mveriwa both said they are yet to receive official complaints and they cannot act.

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