By Isaac Salima:
President Lazarus Chakwera has called on political parties, candidates in the forthcoming polls and all stakeholders in the country to maintain peace during the campaign period.
Speaking when he addressed the nation at his residence, Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, Chakwera said all candidates were free to conduct their campaigns across the country.
The President said the Republican Constitution protects the rights of all citizens, hence the need for everyone to respect the rights of others.
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“I urge you, during the campaign period, to safeguard and protect your right to take part in politics. Preventing any Malawian from attending a political rally or [voting] in elections is a crime and do not allow anybody to give you boundaries,” Chakwera said.
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The President also urged Malawians to ensure that their freedom of expression is protected, saying nobody should gag them from giving their opinions on matters related to elections.
“The Republican Constitution gives one [the] right to expression. During this period, there will be hate speech but when this happens, we have the right to speak our mind and criticise the one who is doing that.
“However, what we are not granted is that right to gag him because freedom of expression is for all of us,” he said.
Chakwera said during this period, people should jealously safeguard the country’s peace.
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“Engaging in violent campaigns is against the law. If you see someone causing violence or destroying materials for rival parties, report them to the police because he is trampling on your right to conduct a free campaign. Let everyone conduct their campaign peacefully,” he said.
Next week, Chakwera will launch his campaign in Lilongwe before going to the Northern, Southern and Eastern regions.
“In all these areas, it is my duty to ensure that I am being responsible in how I am handling my affairs. So, let us respect those who will be conducting their campaign during this time,” he said.
The President also urged people to respect the rule of law.
“We all have that right and nobody has the right to break the law. The Malawi Electoral Commission and Malawi Police Service have reminded us of the parameters in the Republican Constitution. Whether parties, politicians, voters or election observers, we are all under the law,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera finished by calling on people to exercise their right to vote, saying nobody should prevent them from voting.
