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Forum for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) chairman the Reverend Daniel Gunya has said the democracy watchdog wants the ruling UDF out of power in next year’s general elections for failing to revive the economy and sustain democracy.
Gunya said in an interview on Wednesday FDD, which changed its name from Forum for the Defence of the Constitution (FDC) in April, has “not been quiet as such” but has been making consultations with stakeholders on the forthcoming elections.
He said, for example, FDD believes the Electoral Commission needs proper checks and balances and the forum has an interest in both the National Elections Consultative Forum (Necof) as well as a separate entity.
Gunya said FDD is also interested in an opposition electoral alliance and is currently in the process of making consultations.
“We have already met once but that was just preliminary. We need the consensus to see if the coalition or alliance is needed, we still have time before the elections,” he said.
Responding to a question on why FDD is side-lining the ruling UDF and drumming up support for the opposition, Gunya said UDF has never been a member of the forum.
“It is our realisation that the present government [led by UDF] has failed in the economic sector and sustenance of democracy and our interest is to support those who have an agenda to forge ahead, improve the economy and sustain democracy,” he said.
Gunya also said FDD is currently in a drive to change the mindset of the people to distinguish UDF propaganda from reality and accept that the present government should pave way for a new setup.
He said voter education will be done by the Christian churches who have an own consortium and are working to avoid the 1999 scenario when 300,000 votes were nullified due to poor voter education and to combat apathy.
“We hope we will do a good job this time,” said Gunya who is also general secretary for CCAP Blantyre Synod.
FDD, born as FDC late last year to fight against a constitutional amendment to give the President of Malawi a third five-year term of office, changed its focus in April to focus on sustaining democracy and educating people on how to choose leaders.
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