The Centre for Democracy and Development Initiative (CDEDI), has called upon the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to wake up and warn all political party candidates to respect and uphold the code of conduct they signed during the presentation of nomination papers or else face disqualification.
CDEDI says it is disheartening to note that MEC which is the referee for the elections, has not uttered any word to either condemn or warn the signatories to the pact to keep their promise, finding MEC conduct to be very disturbing and regrettable.
The organization is also calling upon President Peter Mutharika to rise up to the occasion by taming party supporters to desist from making careless and insensitive remarks and let free the police to carry out its constitutional mandate to protect lives and property of Malawians in order to bring sanity in the country which is degenerating into total chaotic nation.
This is contained in a statement signed by its Acting Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa dated 30th May,2020 with the subject,” Let’s have a violent free campaign and a strong referee for the elections.”
In a statement, CDEDI says it is shocked with the current increasing cases of violent acts that have characterized the Fresh Presidential Election (FPE) and campaign, condemning the ugly scenes that have taken place in the country regardless of which political party the perpetrators belong to.
“Perpetrators of political sponsored violence ought to be reminded that the advent of the advanced technology means readily available evidence that can be used in a court of law, hence the need for them to think twice before accepting to be used by greedy and failed politicians to cause unnecessary havoc and unrest in the country,”reads the statement in part.
CDEDI is reminding all political party leaders in the country that no candidate can attain the 50+1 vote using a tribe, district or region saying the stronghold madness should stop immediately.
The organization is appealing to Malawians to exercise restraint and calm as the nation await patiently the National Assembly to fix the date of the elections which will be an opportune time for anyone to vent anger through the ballot box.
CDEDI is finally challenging the youth to desist from being used as perpetrators of politically sponsored violence saying time shall come when they shall be held accountable for their actions personally.