NICE Warns Political Violence May Lead to Voter Apathy

National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has warned that the forthcoming presidential  risk registering a slump in voter turnout if the persistent cases of political violence are not addressed.

Nice Regional Civic Education Officer for the South, Christopher Naphiyo, said past research show that political violence and intimidation discourage voters from exercising their right to vote.

At least 5.1 million of the 6.8 million who registered during last year’s tripartite elections voted representing a 74.21 percent voter turnout.

Naphiyo said just like what happened in the run-up to the 2004 general election where there were increased cases of political violence and intimidation, about 27 percent of the voters did not participate on the voting day.

“I remember as NICE we did a survey sometime back when this country experienced highest level of non-participation of voters in 2004 elections. We had the voter turnout around 63 per cent. We sampled constituencies with the lowest voter turnout and what was observed is that a good percentage of people that did not go out to vote cited fear of political violence and intimidation by other political parties.

“Therefore, one thing that is at stake with regard to the continued violence is that people will be afraid to the extent that they would not turnout in their large numbers to cast their votes and that is a threat to our democracy,” said Naphiyo.

The August House is expected to set a date for presidential poll after the court nullified the May 2019 presidential elections due to irregularities.

Three candidates are fighting for the plot number one at the state house namely President Professor Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party representing Tonse Alliance and Peter Kuwani of Mbakuwaku Movement for Development.

Recently the country has experienced political violence in districts like Phalombe, Mulanje, Machinga, Dowa and Rumphi where among others State Vice President, Saulosi Chilima, who is also Tonse Alliance running mate as well as DPP and UDF alliance running mate, Atupele Muluzi, have fallen victims to the vice.

In April this year the Tambala family in Lilongwe lost both parents and a child after UTM office which also housed them was petrol-bombed by suspected political opponents.

While political leaders have condemned the vice there does not seem to be an end in sight.