BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Residents of Nkhata Bay District have faulted the country’s major political parties—Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)—for conducting their campaign rallies on the same day at almost same venue in the district, saying that can lead to political violence.
DPP and UDF top brass held whistle-stop and major rally at Nkhata BayPrison ground on Wednesday but it coincided with the Tonse Alliance gathering which was led by Citizens for Transformation (CFT) leader Timothy Mtambo at Admarc ground, less than 100 metres apart.
However, some residents have raised security concerns over the events on Wednesday which they say created a fertile ground for political violence
“Local Authorities should look into that because in so doing they are creating a fertile ground for violence. So I think as a local person…as a business person that’s a source of concern,” said one of the residents.
Nkhata Bay District council spokesperson Patrick Botha said they only allowed DPP and UDF to hold their rally on Wednesday while the Tonse Alliance partners were given a go ahead to conduct their campaign over the weekend.
DPP and UDF top brass told the gathering to maintain peter mutharika by casting vote for him in the upcoming fresh presidential election, citing numerous development projects in the Lakeshore district.
Ministry of Tourism who is also a Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay Central, Symon Vuwa Kawunda, paraded some people who he said are defectors of Malawi Congress Party and UTM.
On the other side, Mtambo, who was flanked by former legislator Raphael Mhone, Richard Chimwendo Banda, stressed the need for young to vote in large numbers for their torchbearer Lazarus Chakwera, arguing the Mutharika-led administration has no clue on how to empower the youth.
As the country gears up for fresh presidential election, there is palpable excitement with campaign rallies held daily with no regards to district councils’ directives.
The election appears to be wide open, although the Tonse Alliance, which is led by Lazarus Chakwera, seems to have a slight advantage.
There are three candidates in the Malawi’s fresh presidential race: Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Peter Mutharika, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Peter Kuwani of the Mbakuwaku Movement for Democracy.