Police, NICE, and Political Parties Denounce Violence in Lumbadzi

Electoral stakeholders in Lumbadzi Constituency have pledged to maintain peace and unity ahead of the September 16 General Elections.

The commitment was made on Wednesday during an anti-political violence meeting held at the School of Aviation. The meeting was organized by Lumbadzi Police Station in collaboration with the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust and brought together representatives from various political parties, traditional leaders, youth groups, and faith-based organizations.

Chairperson of the Lumbadzi Pastors Fraternal, Bishop Stowell Kumwenda, urged fellow pastors to refrain from making election-related prophecies, noting that such predictions often lead to confusion and voter apathy.

“It is not our role to declare winners before elections. These prophecies often mislead the public and discourage voter turnout. Most of the time, they turn out to be false, which is not healthy for our democracy,” Kumwenda said.

He added that pastors are holding regular prayers and encouraging messages of peace to help foster a calm and fair electoral environment.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) chairperson for Lumbadzi Constituency, Chimwemwe Simpho, praised the initiative, saying it has helped political players plan strategies for a peaceful campaign.

“We will continue to promote peace by reminding our supporters about the importance of unity and respect,” said Simpho.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) youth director for Lumbadzi, Dickson Mapepa, highlighted the dangers of hate speech, stating that his party will prioritize peaceful messaging throughout the campaign.

Lumbadzi Police Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Commissioner Denis Banda, expressed optimism following the meeting, stating that it marks a positive step towards peaceful elections.

“We organized this meeting to encourage peace and unity among political stakeholders and communities around Lumbadzi Trading Centre. As police, we will ensure everyone’s security and protect human rights throughout the campaign period,” Banda said.

NICE’s District Programs Officer for Lilongwe Urban, Hajira Ali, said their aim is to educate leaders on democratic principles and emphasize the importance of peace during the elections.

“As long as there is peace and unity, voter turnout will be high. Political violence discourages participation, and we want to change that,” said Ali.

The official campaign period is set to begin on July 14, 2025.