CDEDI condemns political violence ahead of fresh Presidential polls

Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has condemned political violence ahead of the fresh Presidential polls scheduled for June 23, 2020.

CDEDI remarks follows recent attack on Tonse Alliance runningmate Dr. Saulos Chilima in Phalombe by suspected youth cadets for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). As this is not enough, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters on Saturday disrupt Atupele Muluzi’s rally in Mponela, Dowa.

In the statement signed by CDEDI Acting Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, the grouping has asked President Peter Mutharika to rise above party politics and discipline DPP youth cadets who are on rampage assaulting opposition political parties.

“We are calling upon President Mutharika to rise up to the occasion by among many others tame his notorious DPP cadets, desist from making careless and insensitive remarks and let free the police to carry out its constitutional mandate to protect lives and property of Malawians in order to bring sanity in the country which is slowly but surely degenerating into total chaotic nation,” said Namiwa in the statement.

The grouping has since asked the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to caution all political parties involved in the violent acts.

“CDEDI is calling upon the electoral body to wake up from its deep slumber and stamp its authority by way of warning all political party candidates to respect and uphold the code of conduct they signed during the presentation of nomination papers or else face disqualification,” said Namiwa.

Malawi will hold fresh Presidential polls on June 23, 2020.