As preparations to the September 16 General Elections gather momentum, the British Government hopes that the process will be peaceful and conducive for all stakeholders.
Recommended Stories
The United Kingdom (UK) alongside other development partners has supported Malawi’s institutions through a the Basket Fund managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Through this fund, UK High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie said it supports the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)’s capacity to conduct the polls stressing that it’s vitally important that every citizen is able to exercise their democratic right to vote.
“We very much hope that the registration process continues, that Malawi continues to be peaceful hopefully we won’t see violent demonstrations; we hope we will see the processes working smoothly so that every Malawian is able to vote in September.
“Malawi is such a proud democracy I really hope that is able to continue the coming year and I’m sure it will”. she said
The remarks come in the wake of Wednesday 13th November violence against peaceful demonstrators who were prevented from going ahead to voice their concerns on how some of the electoral processes are progressing after some masked men appeared in the streets of Lilongwe armed with panga knives in full view of the Malawi Police.
Following the incident, Malawi’s former Presidents Peter Mutharika, Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda condemned the violent and unlawful acts describing them as an outrageous assault on democracy.
In a press release, they argued that the Republican Constitution, international treaties and agreements under the United Nations, African Union and the SADC all provide for regular, free and fair elections conducted with integrity by an independent electoral commission.
“The alarming events of November 13, witnessed by the Police, represent a critical breach of our Constitutional principles and international standards. Such actions must be condemned in the strongest terms, especially as our nation approaches a critical election period. It is imperative that citizens are allowed to assert their constitutional right to participate freely in choosing their leaders. Let their voices be heard.
“We cannot remain silent. We demand that: the Inspector General of Police must launch an immediate investigation, arrest and prosecute all perpetrators of the violence. There is ample video evidence to initiate swift action.
“President Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party must categorically condemn this violence, distance themselves from it, and reassure the citizens that such acts will not be tolerated again” read the press release.
Meanwhile Information Minister Moses Kumkuyu says government wants the Malawi Police to institute criminal investigations against people involved in acts of violence when opposition political parties wanted to hold demonstrations.
He is on record to have indicated that President Chakwera is always committed to uphold the rule of law hence the decision.
