MEC issues stern warning to partisan chiefs
The Malawi Electoral Commision (MEC) has warned that the body shall not entrust partisan chiefs with any role to perform in the forth coming tripartite elections.
MEC Commisioner Elvey Ntafu said chiefs in the country are not supposed to favour any political party and neither are they supposed to declare support to candidates competing in the May 2019 general elections.
Commisioner Ntafu added that though chiefs have a right to belong to a political party just like any citizen, they are not supposed to openly show their political allegiance for fear of putting the electoral body in disrepute.
The warning comes a mid concerns of some chiefs in the country who are openly declaring their support to other presidential aspirants for 2019 elections. Some chiefs are also reportedly barring other political parties especially opposition political parties from holding rallies in their areas.
Commisioner Mtafu made the warnning recently in Chikwawa at a meeting the electoral body organised for chiefs under senior chief Ngabu aimed at sensitising them on how they can take an active role in encouraging their subjects to take part in the forth comming elections.
“You see, chiefs are there for every one. That is why it is important for them not to show their party colours. As MEC we shall disassociate ourselves with partisan chiefs”, said commissioner Mtafu.
Mtafu added that chiefs command respect and influence from their subjects and would not want that influence to be abused.
On his part Group Village Headman Malemia who represented Senior Chief M’gabu at the meeting said he was commmitted to being non partisan in discharging his duties.
University of Malawi Political Scientist Enerst Thindwa concurred with Commissioner Mtafu on the need for the chiefs in the country to be neutaral during elections.
However, Thindwa said most chiefs in the country would want to please the governing party to get special recognition and as such they are pro government.
The meeting was attended by over 40 chiefs from Senior Chief Ngabu in Chikwawa district.
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You driver to Karonga and Chitipa, there’s this idiot stupid Paramount Chief Kyungu so big headed and corrupt tell him not to declare Peter Munthalika to be the torch bearer for the Malawi presidential candidate in 2019
Whilst the stern warning from MEC is commendable, it is too little too late. As we are sitting here today, many of the people in the rural areas have already been intimidated to follow party lines more specifically DPP or MCP. Most chiefs don’t even realise that each one of their subjects have a democratic right to vote with their conscious and not on the basis of what the chief says. Chiefs are obliged to embrace its subjects irrespective of their political affiliation. Its a disgrace that MCP, UDF, DPP and PP had politicised chieftaincy to the extent that they… Read more »
What about the partisan public broadcaster, MBC?
Nkhalamba zake zimenezo zingapangitse chisankho cha chitukuko? zamangawa basi. kusilila kunawadutsa kale kale apanga bwanji chitukuko? MEC kunalibe achitsikana oti akadayimila ma udindo amenewa?
This to me is mere rhetoric by MEC because MEC knows pretty well that Lundu, Kyungu, Ngolongoliwa, and Lukwa are the most controversial chiefs when it comes to practicing partisan politics!! If they were serious they would have faced the above stated chiefs head-on on the nonsense they have been vomiting? Chifukwa chani MEC ikuchita kuzunguliraaaaaaaaaaaaa uko mpaka kukafika kwa Mgabu, kumamupyola uyu Lundu onunkha mkamwayuuuuuuuuuu pompa apa pa Nchalo!! Mxiiiiiiiii
Mgolongoliwa, Lundu, zidude za mafumu
It’s all about poverty and greed. Who would support thieves? Dpp is stealing. Daylight robbery. How come Mgeme Kalilani awards or approves a contract to supply fuel? Where is Nocma? Is that the reason why you removed Nocma CEO Mdeza and the Director of Operations? What’s ACB doing? Pitala is dangerous ladies and gentlemen.
A MEC tiziona mukuchitapo kanthu pazolakwikazo.