In a statement signed by MEC’s CEO Sam Alfandika, MEC said it has received a complaint regarding the volatile situation in Lilongwe South.

“The Commission and staff have also been victims. On October 25, 2019 one of the MEC Commissioners was blocked and stoned while on a campaign monitoring exercise. Secretariat staff who were putting up posters were also stopped and verbally intimidated.

“The intimidation was intense that the Commission was forced to postpone all public voter mobilization meetings and activities that it had planned in the Constituency,” the Commission said.

It said it had tried to quell the situation through convening a Multiparty Liaison Committee (MPLC) meeting on October 25, 2019 after complaints of intimidation and violence had been filed.

“During the meeting all leaders pledged to stick to the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidate or risk disqualification. However, the situation has not improved,” MEC added.

Alfandika said on 27th October, 2019 the Commission received reports from various stakeholders in Lilongwe South Constituency that some people were assaulted and their houses and property burnt and looted.

Meanwhile, the matter is being handled by the Malawi Police Service.

At its meeting today, the Commission was concerned with the growing insecurity and threats to MEC Commissioners and staff
deployed to work in the constituency and supporters of various parties and candidates.

“The Commission has, therefore, resolved to postpone the by-elections in Lilongwe South Constituency until further notice. This is to safeguard life and property of the people in the constituency and also MEC,” MEC added.

Meanwhile, the Commission will engage with the leadership of contesting candidates and be monitoring the situation on the ground.