JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – Malawi’s Civil Society Network (CSN) recently urged the public education institutions to disseminate messages of peace as the country marches towards its Tripartite Elections set for 21 May.
“Civic education bodies must not relent in giving civic education messages on peaceful elections so that the district should have free, fair and credible elections come 21 May, 2019,” said NICE District Civic Education Officer and CSN Secretary Kondwani Malunga.
Recently violent clashes in Malawi’s NICE District left one person while a dozen other people were injured as residents expressed anger demanding to have a murder suspect released to apply mob justice.
Malunga told Malawi 24 that while the fracas would not be viewed as politically motivated, the anger came out of frustration from non-responsive leadership.
“It is of paramount importance to continuously engage the community through awareness campaigns in democratic principles including the need to respect rule of law. We ask all citizens of Nsanje to take part in the election process peacefully and we continue mobilizing people to peacefully coexist so that we have violent free elections,” he said.
He also that started engaging other stakeholders such as Nice Public Trust, Catholic Commission for Justice and peace and Malawi Care in collaboration with the police in building a peaceful environment in elections period.
Meanwhile the country’s elections managing body the Malawi Electoral Commission has released code of conduct for political parties and candidates. The document signed by the chairperson Justice Dr Jane and SC, calls on every stakeholder to contribute to fair, free and credible elections.
“The Commission is optimistic that the parties and contestants shall concentrate on issue-based campaign; what they will do if selected or re-elected and not to dwell on character assassination or name-calling,” reads part of the 18-page document.
The document further warns stakeholders to avoid using the language and pronouncements that easily incite violence, hatred, unrest and instil fear among members of the public.
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