By Cathy Maulidi:
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has assured the public that its officers are ready to police the entire electoral process towards next year’s election.
Deputy Police Inspector General Happy Mkandawire made the assurance on Thursday during an orientation workshop for commanding officers as the country prepares for elections in September 2025.
Mkandawire said the Malawi Police Service draw lessons from the violence that marred the 2019 elections and they are much prepared for the 2025 elections.
“This is another big step taken by Malawi Police Service as we continue to prepare ourselves to realise free, fair and credible 2025 general elections. The MPS is excited with this training, considering the clear individual and organizational policing gaps that characterized our efforts to offer quality policing services during the 2019 tripartite elections and the subsequent 2020 fresh presidential elections.
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“The spate of violence that characterised the two elections was evident that police, as preservers of peace in times of political tensions, need to do more to adequately police future electoral activities. More importantly, it was very clear that the social-political tensions that surrounded the electoral process strongly underlined the need to ensure that the decisions we make as police officers should take into account particular needs of certain individuals and segments of the society,” Mkandawire said.
According to Mkandawire, it is crucial that police officers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process.
Also speaking during the planning session, chairperson of Malawi Peace and Unity Commission Mary Nkosi said as the country enters the election period, it is important for stakeholders to address the issue of police use of force and its impact on peace and community cohesion.
“The relationship between the police and all the security agencies and the community is crucial in maintaining a sense of safety and security for all individuals. However, instances of excessive force by police officers can erode trust and create divisions within our communities,” Nkosi said.
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided financial support towards the training and its resident representative, Fenella Frost, concurred with Nkosi on the use of police force.
“Discussing the use of force in this orientation process is commendable. The use of force by police is a sensitive issue, especially during elections when tensions can run high. It is essential that police officers are trained in the principles of proportionality, necessity and non-discrimination when it comes to the use of force,” she said.
Frost said use of force must be strictly necessary, proportionate to the threat faced and carried out in a manner that minimizes harm and respects the rights of individuals.
Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi said this is the right time for preparations for the elections.
“We continue to plan; it won’t end here. We need security for the entire electoral process. Voters and the electoral materials have to be protected. The Malawi Police Service has that responsibility to make sure there is security in the electoral process. We expect the police to discharge its duties in accordance with the laws of this country and electoral laws,” Mpesi said.
Voter registration is expected to start September this year
