Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of political parties in the first month of official campaign ahead of the upcoming elections.
MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa said that the development signifies maturity among political parties.
He said that in their monitoring they are satisfied with how political parties are conducting their campaign despite the fact that they have seen the attempt among people to stick their manifestos and some presidential candidates tackling down to parliamentary and local government candidates.
Mwafulirwa said that, since the launch of official campaign on March 19, MEC had recorded one incident of political violence in which UTM publicity secretary Joseph Chidanti-Malunga was attacked.
A political analyst based at chancellor college Ernest thindwa explained that in this year’s election campaign, parties are embracing issues based on politics.
Therefore the development comes at a time when Malawi is experiencing the return of the former parliamentarian for Blantyre City East, John Bande with an intention to reclaim his seat on an independent candidate ticket.
Bande, who served the Constituency for two terms up to 2014, claimed that he had decided to bounce back following pressure from constituents and that he wants to continue with development activities.
Sharing sentiments with Bande, Machinjiri Development Committee Chairperson Freedson Kaphuka, claimed that they have realized that Bande was a development conscious leader.
Reporter: Herbert Katanda