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| National |
| EC conduct, UDF propaganda angers Mzimba villagers |
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by
Francis Tayanjah-Phiri, 31 May 2004
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09:16:07
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Villagers from around Manyamula in Mzimba feel cheated by the conduct of the Electoral Commission during the elections period and its bias by allowing UDF to use public media to castigate opponents and supporters of the opposition.
Speaking during a public forum organised by the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), at Manyamula on Saturday, most of the villagers alleged government was abusing the trust and patriotism of rural Malawians by blocking their right to belong to parties of their choice.
“You are talking of human rights, that our rights as Malawians should be respected, I wonder, you as human rights activists, do you think the way the Elections were conducted after we voted last week were in compliant with respect of our rights? Do you really think the results really reflected what we Malawians voted for?” queried Denis Tembo, of Daniel Tembo Village at Manyamula.
Tembo, who received a big ovation from the other villagers, also queried why the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders in the elections allowed former president Bakili Muluzi, to use the public broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to swear at opposition sympathisers and supporters.
Joel Kapunda, also of Manyamula, queried why the civil society does not take action on behalf of ordinary villagers when politicians, like former president (Bakili Muluzi) allegedly castigated them on radio.
He asked: “You rights groups and churches, what did you do when Bakili Muluzi lambasted some of us in villages who support other parties (opposition)? What action did you take?”
It had to take convener of the forum, Anthony Mwamlima and panellist Mickness Zimba to calm the tense atmosphere that erupted during the forum. Mwamlima, who is Information and Civic Education officer for CCJP Mzuzu Diocese, and Zimba, Councillor for Mbelwa North ward in the district, explained to the highly patronised forum that church and rights organisation had played a great role in ensuring that the voice of the voiceless be taken aboard during the election time.
“As citizens of the country, you indeed have the right to complain on any issues you feel are not right, but it is not right just to allege things without evidence. For instance, if you have any evidence of any element of rigging or unfairness during the conduct of election, bring them and personally I can see that our organisation (HRCC) and other stakeholders take it up,” said Mwamlima.
Mwamlima and Zimba said the sentiments people raised on issues about elections looked pertinent and were supposed to be explored thoroughly together with those villagers concerned
During the forum the villagers complained that government capitalises on the fact that the majority of rural Malawi comprised of illiterate people, hence treats them as ignorant of the realities of their rights and oppresses their voices.
According to Mwamlima and HRCC’s Project Officer Mildred Sharrah the forum was one in a series aimed at sensitising the rural masses on rights and constitutionalism. During the Manyamula forum, people were deliberating on whether people at grassroots felt they own the Constitution and had powers to partake in governing and legislating laws of the country. The project belongs to HRCC, but being coordinated by Centre for Human Rights.
Apart from Zimba, panellists included Joyce Lungu, a local villager; Group village head Chikapo Moyo and Inkosana Nkhana, both traditional leaders of Edingeni.
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