African Elections Project (Accra)
Wesysylas Chirwa
15 May 2009
The pan African civic educators network (PACENET) has expressed its disappointment over the primitive propaganda run by public broadcasters Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Malawi Television(TVM).
In a press release, the organization feels the information being aired on the two public broadcasters is aimed at deceiving people and feels it is part of rigging ploy.
The two stations are on record to have continuously been telling people that should they not tick the face of president Mutharika, their ballots will be invalid.
"it is unfortunate to say the least because MBC is one of the radio stations with more listener ship and people take whatever is said as gospel truth, reads part of the statement."
"The statement adds, by saying these blatant lies about how to vote, MBC and TVM are doing de-service to the Malawi nation, they were established to serve."
The grouping is reminding electoral commission to remind the two broadcasters for the primitive propaganda the have engaged in.
"We believe the stations received funding from EC to civic educate the masses but what they are doing is a total departure from this mandate, the statement says.The organization is appealing to Electoral commission to caution MBC and TVM on the wrong information they are sending to the voters.
"Such propaganda would not help but could contribute to the high number of null and void votes as well as worsening the already volatile political climate.Pacenet is also appealing to all polling day monitors from political parties, candidate and civil society to be on very high alert to detect any possible rigging tactics or attempts.
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