Minister Botomani blasts hate speeches: UTM says statement directed at DPP-UDF

Minister of Information Mark Botomani has hit at politicians for attacking personalities in  campaign for the fresh presidential election tentatively scheduled for June 23 this year  and asked them to deliver an issue based campaign.

But UTM Party has said the blast is targeted  at Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members especially campaign director Everton Chimulirenji and running mate Atupele Muluzi.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Botomani, who failed short of mentioning names said ‘government had noted with concern the direction the presidential election campaign has taken, especially regarding attacks on personalities.

Botomani blasted the politicians for ‘lack of understanding of issues of national importance’.

“It is important that politicians that aspire leadership must demonstrate an understanding of state management. Those who do so would have a lot of issues to talk about during campaign. Attacking personalities signifies lack of understanding of issues of national importance,” reads part of the statement.

But UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati said  President Peter Mutharika’s running mate and United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has been in the forefront of bad mouthing opposition politicians and using the religious card to misinform the electorate during the campaign.

She also said Chimulirenji, who was ‘mistakenly’ voted as Vice President in the 2019 nullified election, has also been attacking duly elected State Vice President Saulos Chilima accusing him of ‘removing me from the position of Vice President’.

The Constitutional Court ordered Chilima to be reinstated as Vice President after nullifying the 2019 presidential poll.

In his statement, Botomani also asked various organizations to advise politicians  on the need of avoiding using hate speeches.

“Government would like to appeal to electoral stakeholders with oversight functions such as Public Affairs Committee (PAC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) and others to monitor, evaluate and advise politicians against indecent, insulting and offensive speech during the campaign.”

“Government would like to assure the general public of peace before, during and after elections. Government agents are working round the clock to maintain peace, law and order,” reads the statement signed by Botomani.