MEC warns against uncalled for behaviours during forth coming by elections

Malawi Electoral Commission  (MEC) has warned aspirants in the fourth coming by elections to refrain from hate speeches during the official campaign period.

Commissioner Dr. Jean Mathanga said aspirants should only articulate issues affecting people as opposed to mudslinging.

Commissioner Mathanga made the appeal in Nsanje Lalanje Constituency Wednesday where MEC launched the by elections’ calendar.

“Let me plead with the aspirants to avoid hate speeches but also using youths to castigate their opponents. We want the by elections to be free and fair, and no dirty politics,” said Commissioner Mathanga.

She also warned those from other constituencies not to attempt to vote in the designated by elections areas as it will be against the laws.

“Please the by elections are for those constituents who has lost their elected members. Therefore, no one from other constituency should try to come for voting.

“On the other hand, let me stress the need for traditional leaders not to take sides during the campaign official period. Everyone should be given equal opportunities,” warned Commissioner Mathanga.

The Commissioner revealed that campaign official period will start on September 13 and the official results for the by elections will be released by October 20, 2017.

Apart from Nsanje Lalanje Constituency, the by elections are to happen in other four areas across the country which fall vacant due to deaths.

Nsanje Lalanje Constituency became vacant after the death of Sam Ganda on May 16 this year who until his death was a Member of Parliament.

The Ganda’s body was buried in Mwanza contrary to the expectations of most people in Nsanje particularly Lalanje constituents who expected to be buried in the area he represented as a Member of Parliament for two terms.

The development attracted debate among people in Nsanje with some wondering as to whether they were being represented in the parliament by a person who was originally from Nsanje.

The suggestion by the family to bury his remains in Mwanza raised a lot of suspicion and questions if the people were being represented by an individual who comes from Nsanje district particularly Nsanje Lalanje Constituency.

Late Sam Ganda entered parliament as an independent member but joined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) then defected to People’s Party (PP) and rejoined DPP after he won as an independent when he defeated PP’s candidate Lawrence Sitolo.

Nsanje Lalanje lawmaker Sam Ganda died at an Indian hospital May 16 night. He died at the age to 53 and survived by a wife and two children.

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