PAC endorses CSOs June 20 mass protests over Ansah resignation
Quasi-religious body, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has fully endorsed Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) June 20 organised peaceful protests to force Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah and other commissioners to resign.
The civil rights organisations, under the banner, HRDC wantAnsah to quit her position at the pollster over her handling of the May 21 elections, saying they were marred with irregularities.
PAC spokesperson Father Peter Mulomole said it is the constitutional right to show anger through peaceful demonstrations.
“As PAC, we do not see any problem in taking to the streets in peaceful protests. There is nothing wrong for the CSOs to hold peaceful demonstrations,” said Mulomole.
Mulomole said just as PAC endorsed the decision by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM to go to court over the vote manipulation election case, his organization has no problem in people holding peaceful protests.
Some quarters have said the June 20 slated peaceful protests are pre-mature, saying the CSOs could have waited for the outcome of the court case.
HRDC’s plans for protrsts comes after UTM Party president Saulos Chilima, who is the country’s immediate past vice-president, added his voice to calls for the immediate resignation of Ansah on Friday for allegedly failing the nation.
Chilima, who finished third with slightly over one million votes, said his party has gathered evidence of misconduct by the head of the electoral body.
“We have gathered evidence of widespread misconduct of the agents of the declared winner, MEC’s officers, security personnel and others. This is the evidence we shall be taking to court for the court’s intervention.
“Beyond the above-mentioned evidence, we have gathered evidence of misconduct on the part of the chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission which shall be shared with the commission privately,” Chilima told a news conference.
Governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali said the Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate anytime provided the right procedures are followed but advised that the demonstrations should have waited for the court’s decision since the courts are already handling it.
In Lilongwe, HRDC plans the demonstrations to start from Lilongwe Community Centre ground through Mchesi-Kamuzu Central Hospital-Parliament to Civic Offices while in Blantyre, the planned route is from Kamuzu Stadium upper ground through Masauko Chipembere Highway to the Blantyre district commissioner’s office.
In Mzuzu, the demonstration is scheduled to start from Katoto via Mzuzu Clock Tower to the Mzuzu City Council Civic Offices and in Zomba from the community ground through Mponda Primary School ground to Zomba District Council offices.
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Which development Noxy the development of Llomwe belt only? Combined Nuinsance and kuba kuba ndalama zathu anyapapi amenewa. More Fire PAC moto kuti buuuuu!
PAC is a body of spiritually bankrupt people. Jane said, “When your coscience is clear, you walk with your head above your shoulders.” I believe she knew what she was saying.
PAC PAC PAC can we have a rest on this and move on with development.The people of Malawi voted on 21st May,2019 and the winner was announced,sworn in and inaugurated.Can we stop this politics and leave the winner to govern.PAC took sides and now it’s becoming an aggrieved party rendering itself irrelevant.
PAC stands for Malawians not a few power hungry individuals who wants to rule illegally. We will not allow , tell each other in your blue camp that we are tired of nepotism, corruption, killing of key witnesses. APM with his DPP failed to deliver in all areas in his first 5 years that is why we rejected him through votes but he wants to impose himself with tippex through bribing of MEC commissioners. WE SAY A BIG NO TO TIPPEX GOVERNMENT
A learned judge, pastor and a family woman why r u still hanging on to the position when for sure you know peoples hearts r bleeding.do an honourable thing resign if your conscious is clear.use your brain to think not your ……. Tatopa nazo ife, anthu asafe coz of your gready.
Even if Ansah is removed nothing will Change unless MEC is Overhauled… Unless there are Major Changes in the Electoral Laws…I know a Teacher in Blantyre who had to Pretend to be ill …In order to Run Away from the Rigging that was place at the Polling Center in the just ended Madando Tippex Election..I know a UDF Monitor who witnessed Massive Rigging at a Polling Centre in Chilobwe in 2014…In all these Cases MEC staff,teachers …were involved…Who supplied Tippex…your guess is as good as Mine.Its the Whole MEC which is rotten…
YOMWEYO