Amidst fears of violence ahead of the 2019 tripartite polls, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has assured Malawians that the elections will be peaceful.
Commissioner Revered Clifford Baloyi made the remarks during the opening of a two day training to the multiparty liaison committees from Dedza and Ntcheu districts.
Baloyi said the electoral body understands the growing fears ahead of next year’s elections, hence the training.
“We know Malawians are afraid that next year’s elections will be marred with violence following the malpractice that is already happening during political rallies, but let me assure you that once we train our political parties we will be able to have free and peaceful elections in 2019,” said commissioner Baloyi.
He also observed the need for parties in the country to accept results of the elections saying political violence demonstrates undemocratic principles that a country holds.
“You should know that in every race there is always one winner. The same will happen in next year’s polls, and on this one let me encourage political parties in the country to be in the forefront in advising their followers to maintain peace during the campaign as well as voting period,” he said.
In his remarks, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) district secretary Phillimon Ngozo urged the electoral governing body to stimulate policies that will ensure that the elections are free and fair.
Ngozo said MEC should maintain its trust people had before because there are some fears that next years’ polls will not be fair as MEC is always promising.
Senior Chief Kachere of Dedza urged parties to avoid inter-party conflicts saying people should understand that Malawi is a peaceful land hence politics must not be the main cause of violence and hatred in the country.
The training that brought together different bodies from the police, local government and political parties was funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
