Election campaign opens: Empty’ promises, violence?

By Deogratias Mmana:

The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Monday launched the official campaign period ahead of the September 16 General Elections with some stakeholders skeptical of the ability by the Malawi Police Service to manage violence that may erupt.

As Deputy Inspector General of police responsible for administration Noel Kayira gave a presentation on the preparedness by the service for the elections, some stakeholders in the jam-packed hall at the Bingu International Convention Centre interrupted the presentation by expressing their frustrations with the police.

But Kayira was bold enough to handle the situation by accommodating the interruptions and further assuring Malawians that the police will act according to the law during the official campaign period.

Kayira tried to instill some confidence in Malawians by parading all officers in charge from across all the districts and challenged the public to approach him in their respective districts as their first point of call whenever they have complaints to do with elections.

“Provide equal treatment to everyone participating in the elections,” Kayira said, calling on political parties’ leaders to control their followers from engaging in violence.

He argued that if political parties do not engage in violence, the police will concentrate on other equally demanding activities.

“Politics is not war. Let democracy thrive,” he said.

Kayira replayed the same old jazz that keeps coming from the police that they are committed to ensuring that the laws are adhered to especially the electoral laws during the campaign period.

But many stakeholders doubted such an assurance when the country has witnessed political violence in full view of police officers.

And with such a background, the Centre for Multiparty Democracy did not mince words but challenged the police to prove to Malawians that they can be professional.

The police have usually failed to act on violence because sometimes they get “orders from above “ to apply selective treatment to citizens. Previous violent cases can testify to this. The recent attack on activist Sylvester Namiwa is the latest case.

According to reports, the thugs who have been involved in violence are well known to the police and are called “Special Police” within the police service and that allegedly they get allowances from the police.

The police conduct has recently become so deplorable that seven ambassadors condemned it especially after failing to manage the violence where Namiwa was hacked. The European Union threatened to stop its support towards police training.

CMD chairperson Ben Chakhame spoke strongly against violence during the campaign period

“We hope security agencies will handle violence during the campaign period,”Chakhame said.

He challenged political parties to tell Malawians their vision for the country and not to prove who is better at sharpening panga knives or who is in better health.

“Those who think violence will lead to victory are wrong. Everyone should strive for violence-free campaign and vote freely and not hack others. Today we start a journey of choosing a new government,” Chakhame said.

On his part, Registrar of Political Parties Kizito Tenthani said it is up to the police to prove themselves that they can be trusted again to protect every Malawian.

He said the police should take the campaign period as a moment of claiming back their lost trust in the public. Tenthani also urged the parties to be the first to avoid violence to make the police work easier.

One interesting aspect during the launch was the prayer session organised by the Public Affairs Committee (Pac). Some stakeholders observed that despite prayers and claiming that Malawi is a God-fearing country, violence still occurs putting into question the God- fearing tag.

Pac prayed for issue-based campaigns and not violence.

“We want Malawi to win and not a specific party. We do not want foul language. We do not want violence. We will continue praying for the elections, “ Pac chairperson Monsignor Patrick Thawale said.

Even the Mec itself condemned violence and called for a clean campaign.

Mec Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja warned that those found flouting the electoral laws can receive a penalty of up to K5 million and lose their candidature.

“Malawians are fed up with foul language campaigns and do not be surprised if few people patronise your rallies, “ she said.

Mtalimanja said it is the hope of the commission that political parties will take the campaign period as an opportunity to articulate their visions for the country which will propel people to vote for them.

She also challenged traditional leaders to promote peace among others, allowing all parties in their areas to campaign without any hindrance. She also urged them to preach peace during funerals or weddings or any social gathering.

The Mec Chairperson asked the parties to accept the results of the elections. But she added that acceptance comes easily when the process has been free and fair.

She said, “Acceptance of results goes well when elections have been free, fair and credible. Mec and Malawians expect the police to do their work with neutrality and according to the law regardless of political divide.”

Despite the assurance and commitments for peace during the campaign period and entire elections period, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party is still skeptical.

The party’s Director of Elections Jean Mathanga thinks it is easier said than done.

“We have had meetings with the top brass of the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service where they have assured us of violence free atmosphere but what happens on the ground is on the contrary. So, we only hope that what has been said here will come to pass, “Mathanga said.

The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (Cseif) has also weighed in on the seemingly empty promises on violence. It’s chairperson Benedicto Kondowe attended the campaign launch.

Kondowe begins by commending the Mec, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), and the Malawi Police Service for publicly reaffirming their commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.

However, he says it should be emphasised that verbal commitments alone are not sufficient. Each institution must now demonstrate its integrity and impartiality through action.

“It is not enough for the Mec, as the constitutional referee of electoral processes, to declare neutrality if it fails to consistently uphold its independence and allegiance to the Constitution. A compromised Commission threatens the very foundation of electoral credibility and citizen trust.

“It is equally not enough for political parties to make superficial appeals for peace while fueling violence behind the scenes, spreading disinformation and weaponising misinformation in their quest for electoral advantage. These tactics erode democratic values and must be rejected outright,”Kondowe said.

He said the Malawi Police Service, entrusted with maintaining law and order, cannot simply preach peace and security.

He added: “The public expects and deserves decisive, impartial, and timely investigations and prosecutions of any incidents of violence, including protection of demonstrators and equitable policing of campaign rallies. The visible resentment during the address by the Deputy Inspector General was a clear indication that public trust in the police is diminishing. In this regard, CMD’s Chairperson was right to challenge the Police Service to seize this moment to rebuild its credibility. The police must serve all citizens equally regardless of political affiliation, region, religion, or ethnicity.”

He also challenged the Registrar of Political Parties to go beyond outlining the legal framework for peaceful elections and the prohibition of handouts.

“These laws must be enforced without fear or favour, in the spirit of national accountability and democratic fairness,” he challenged him.

As civil society, he said: “ we reaffirm our obligation to ensure that eligible voters are well informed and empowered to make independent choices at the polls. No political party should be allowed to enjoy an unfair advantage while violating electoral laws in plain sight.

Ultimately, our collective efforts as stakeholders can only go so far. It is Mec’s resolve, backed by transparent and consistent action, that will determine whether Malawi delivers truly free, fair, and credible elections in 2025. This, Mec, must not deliver to an individual or institution but to the people of Malawi with firm allegiance to the Constitution.”

Malawians are yet to see if what they claim to be God-fearing will translate into a peaceful campaign.