With only 41 days to go before Malawians cast their votes on May 21, police officers in the country have been told to be non-partisan during the campaign leading to the tripartite elections.
Commissioner of Police Merlyn Yolamu, who is also the director of community policing and rural units under the Malawi Police Service (MPS) made the call in Mzimba on Monday, when she had an audience with Mzimba police station officials and members of community police.
Yolamu said Police is a public office designed to protect every Malawian, as such it is important that police officers in the country protect every candidate both in the ruling party and opposition members during the elections.
She said: “Police officers cannot perform their duties well when they show signs of belonging to a certain political party.
“I want to challenge them to be professional; by executing their duties in a manner favourable to all candidates in the political scene.
“Let us not hear police officers campaigning for politicians. Let us not see police officers wearing party regalia. But, let them offer security to all.”
Yolamu then assured the country, that the law enforcement agency is ready to curb and investigate any sort of violence during this campaign.
“We have measures on the ground on how to deal with issues of violence. Let me say here, each party member involved in violence scenes will face the law accordingly,” she said.
Mzimba police station officer in charge (OC) Ackis Angello Muwanga said police in Mzimba are ready to ensure a peaceful campaign and elections in the district.
“So far we have not heard any issues to do with violence in Mzimba. We are upbeat that this peaceful environment of politics will go on until the campaign is over,” said Muwanga.
