President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who is also presidential candidate for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Monday joined other contenders in attending National Prayers for the Signing of Peace Declaration for the September 16 elections.
The prayers that took place at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, were organised by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) under the theme “In choosing a path of dialogue and meditation, violence is not an option.”
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In his remarks, PAC Chairperson, Monsignor Patrick Thawale, said the prayers were being held to pray for Malawi to hold peaceful elections and also to secure a commitment from all the presidential candidates to peace settlement of disputes through signing of the declaration.
“Therefore, the peace declaration is a goodwill document that forms the basis for entering into mediation dialogue case of political or electoral disputes,” he said.
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Thawale advised presidential candidates to be open to other opportunities for reaching out to potential voters like presidential debates and not solely rely on conducting political parties.
He said presidential debates were very important as they accorded the candidates an opportunity market themselves to the people who are physically at the venue as well as those watching at home using various media platforms.
“Elections are very delicate, the number of people attending rallies are not actually the voters. There are times, the impossible becomes possible, even the 50 plus one is a possibility for all of you,” Thawale said.
“When you enter in a competition, you expect anything. It is my prayer that all of you, in case you lose, you will be a good loser and in case you win, you will be a good winner and also respect and accommodate the losers,” He added.
He therefore requested the Malawi Police Service to provide maximum security and allow all presidential candidates to travel to various places and campaign freely without hindrances and condemned any form of violence perpetrated by a ruling party or opposition parties.
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja described the Peace Declaration presidential candidates have signed as a moral covenant before God and the Malawian people.
She said MEC pledges to contribute to the peace and stability of the nation by discharging their mandate without fear or favour.
“We remain determined to deliver elections that are free, fair, transparent and credible. We will do this in collaboration with all institutions, vigilance of the civil society and indeed the spiritual guidance of faith communities,” Mtalimanja said.
She said, leadership gained through violence or intimidation cannot stand.
