The Civil Society Elections Interface Forum (CSEIF) has called on all political parties and supporters to respect the outcome of the Tuesday election and respect the results as the will of Malawians.
In a statement released Sunday and signed by CSEIF Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, the Forum warned that the polls represent a “make-or-break moment” for the country’s fragile democracy.
CSEIF said the elections were not only about electing leaders but also a solemn test of the nation’s collective commitment to the rule of law.
The Forum therefore urged all stakeholders to protect peace, integrity, and the free will of voters in the face of growing threats of violence.
The Forum highlighted key pillars such as the free will of the voter, grievance redress mechanisms, role of observer missions, and preparedness to accept results as non-negotiable foundations of democracy.
“The cornerstone of any credible election is the ability of citizens to freely choose leaders without coercion, bribery, intimidation, or manipulation. Malawians must embrace the truth that the only sacred and legitimate way of winning an election is through the ballot,” the statement reads.
CSEIF also cautioned political leaders against inciting violence or rejecting results, stressing that “the maturity of our democracy will be judged by how political parties and candidates respond.”
It warned that disinformation and intimidation could fracture public trust in the electoral process if not curbed.
The statement comes just days after police confirmed the arrest of four suspects linked to a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) taskforce and plot to burn down markets in Lilongwe and Blantyre as part of a strategy to disrupt elections.
The suspects, including known DPP operatives, were using WhatsApp groups to mobilize funds, recruit thugs, and devise arson strategies aimed at triggering nationwide chaos.
Reports have further implicated senior DPP figures, including former Cabinet Minister Ben Phiri in Thyolo, and the party’s Deputy Secretary General Daud Chikwanje, working in tandem with Norman Chisale in Mangochi, in sponsoring gangs to intimidate and attack rival supporters.
In Thyolo, a UDF vehicle and driver were violently attacked, while in Mangochi, ruling party campaign activities have repeatedly been targeted by DPP-backed mobs.
Analysts warn that these developments point to a calculated effort by the DPP to engineer unrest, particularly if early results show Peter Mutharika losing.
CSEIF’s statement directly addressed these concerns, noting that peace is Malawi’s most valuable asset and that “elections must not become a trigger for division, hatred, or conflict.”
The Forum reminded security agencies, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), political leaders, and the media of their collective responsibility to safeguard national unity and ensure that “their conduct neither disrupts the voting process nor undermines the genuine expression of the will of the voters.”
The watchdog also urged MEC to maintain neutrality, deliver a credible election outcome, and resist manipulation: “MEC, as a neutral referee, must continue to uphold its duty to deliver a result that reflects the will of Malawians.”
As Malawians prepare to cast their votes on Tuesday, CSEIF underscored that the credibility of the election, and the stability of the nation, hangs in the balance. “Either we rise above division and uphold constitutionalism, or we undermine the trust that holds our Republic together,” the statement concludes.
