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Malawi: Bishops Call for Conducive Atmosphere for National Poll
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Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
13 May 2008
Posted to the web 13 May 2008
Lilongwe
The government and all relevant actors should ensure a democratic atmosphere prevails for free and fair elections this year, the Catholic bishops said.
The bishops said in a pastoral letter issued on Pentecost Sunday that the election is a "special and opportune time, a time of expectation and anxiety but also a time of grace for our nation."
Incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika is expected to defend his seat against a challenge by his predecessor Bakili Muluzi. The election date has not been set.
The Malawian bishops said the forthcoming election was an ideal occasion for the nation to examine how its democracy is functioning.
In the run up to the polls, political parties should promote internal democracy by holding their own elections, publishing manifestos and conducting credible nominations of candidates, the bishops said.
"Our conviction is that it is within the political party that democracy starts; it is also here that it starts to fail! The symptoms of this failure are when parties give in to the big-man syndrome, when young new blood is not allowed to enter into political leadership and when enough space is not given to women to compete for positions."
The church leaders also called for a totally independent and professional electoral commission to oversee the polls, saying the commission should not only be seen to be acceptable in law, but also acceptable by the various crucial stakeholders in the elections.
The campaign should be used by candidates and parties to tell Malawians what they will do to solve the nation's pressing challenges, including poverty. "This is not the time for outdoing each other by attacking personalities and characters, nor is it a time for buying voters. Remember that the first step towards violent behaviour is violent language!" the prelates said.
On their part, voters should be led by a spirit of discernment, not allowing themselves to be misled by false promises or handouts. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) should draw up an election code of conduct to ensure that peace prevails in the country.
The bishops also called for equal access by all parties to public media. Private media houses should avoid language that could breed hatred and cause violence.
The Malawian bishops urged voters to look out for good leaders who have a vision and challenge everyone to contribute to its realisation, who lead by example, are good listeners, humble, God-fearing and socially conscious.
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While Catholic clergy and religious have a right to personal political preferences, they should not take part in active politics, the bishops said.
Parties and candidates should accept the outcome of the polls and move on with the urgent task of nation-building.
"What a good government will do is to create the conditions that will help each individual and each community to take charge of their life and eradicate poverty by hard work. It is the people of Malawi that will develop Malawi."
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