Parties pledge clean campaign

Political parties have pledged to conduct violence-free campaign when official campaign kicks off tomorrow.

The views from major political parties come in the wake of violence at People’s Party (PP) rally President Joyce Banda addressed at Goliati in Thyolo on Sunday, which resulted in the death of two people.

DPP director of operations Ben Phiri was also attacked Monday night allegedly by PP supporters.

Speaking in an interview, United Democratic Front (UDF) spokesperson Ken Ndanga said his party will conduct issue-based campaign.

“From (party) president downwards, we have planned a clean campaign based on issues and not castigations or personalisation. We believe that these provoke violence,” said Ndanga.

People’s Party (PP) deputy spokesperson Ken Msonda also pledged a clean campaign.

He, however, cautioned people to distinguish between issue-based campaign and telling the truth.

“However, if we tell people the truth about what they have been doing, that is not propaganda. I am saying this because some people don’t want to be told the truth and they translate it to mean propaganda,” said Msonda.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said the party’s current character speaks volumes about its belief in peace and adherence to the four cornerstones of unity, loyalty, obedience and discipline.

“We will not go to the podium to castigate someone and our youths will not be brandishing machetes, but providing services to the people,” said Kabwila.

She, however, said there is need for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to act on complaints to prevent cases of violence.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Nicholas Dausi, whose party is alleged to have been at the centre of the violence, also said DPP will conduct a violence-free clean campaign.

MEC had not yet responded to a questionnaire on measures the commission has put in place as we went to press.