African Elections Project (Accra)
Richard Chirombo
18 May 2009
Sunday midnight, May 17, 2009 will come like a good referee. Right in the dead of night, which, as usual, will also come to declare death of the previous day (May 16), the dark curtain will be drawn on political parties' signaling the official end of the campaign period.
How has campaigning been like: a failed attempt? Success? That is the question I posed to political parties on Saturday.
Humphreys Mvula, Director of Research for the United Democratic Front (UDF) said the party has had a good campaign, and that it was sure of victory come May 19.
"The only minus was that the public broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, refused to open the airwaves even after the Electoral Commission (EC) paid for the airwaves. You must also remember that all political parties are supposed to have free access to MBC during the official campaign period," said Mvula.
Ironically, UDF and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MPs were in the forefront blocking budgetary support to both MBC and Malawi Television, accusing the two media houses being biased towards the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The MCP said it was set for the May elections, having gone to all corners of Malawi in a bid to sell its presidential and parliamentary candidates.
Party Deputy Spokesperson, Nancy Tembo, said, looking at the support the party has amassed during the three months of campaigning, all was set for the New State House.
She, however, bemoaned failure by MBC and TVM to free the airwaves, saying it had tilted the campaign in favour of DPP.
"We did a good campaign and are satisfied with the work done. We are winning on May 19,' said Tembo.
Hetherwick Ntaba, Publicity Secretary, described the party's campaign as the most effective of all political parties, adding that would work in favour of the DPP.
"We have been very successful, and look forward to retaining power on elections' day. We are not looking at getting into power, as the opposition parties are fighting to do. We are already there. What will happen on May 19 is that the people of Malawi will just give us another mandate to steer the country towards another course in development. Everyone loves the DPP," said Ntaba.
New Rainbow Coalition Presidential candidate, Loveness Gondwe - the only woman contesting for a trek to New State House - said she was satisfied with the course of events. Gondwe said she has had a good campaign and looked forward to winning on elections' day.
"I am sure people will vote for me because men have failed us. It is only women who can bring real change in Malawi. I am happy with the support I have from the people of Malawi," said Gondwe.
People's Transformation Party (PETRA) Vice Presidential candidate, Stanley Mnenula, said the party was set for the polls.
"So far so good. We thank the people of Malawi for attending our meetings and encouraging us to contest for the presidency. We know we are making it because campaign was good," said Mnenula.
Stanley Masauli, presidential candidate for the Republican Party, said he was happy with the way people accepted the party's philosophy that 'Meaningful development must first begin at household level', saying that had made the parties campaign wonderful.
"We are happy with the course of events so far. We are the only party that stands for the aspirations of the people. That is why we never had so many problems during campaign period," said Masauli.
For Dindi Gowa Nyasulu, presidential candidate for the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), official campaign time accorded the party an opportunity to re-assert its presence at national level.
Gowa Nyasulu said the party now had all the chances to get the country's presidency, and steer Malawi towards sustainable development.
"Things have been encouraging for us; we will win on May 19. We have all voters for showing confidence in us. We will deliver the goods for them. Malawi needs meaningful development," said Gowa Nyasulu.
Even Independent presidential candidate, James Nyondo, said he was happy with the level of support he had received from voters.
He, however, complained that his campaign was marred by intimidation from government.
"They deported my friends, they tampered with my private bank accounts and did all sorts of things to frustrate me, which sort of distracted me. But, because they have failed to silence me, I am here contesting and poised to win. That makes me happy," said Nyondo, whom government accused of engaging in money laundering.
The development resulted into government freezing Nyondo's bank accounts. It accused him of using funds meant for building churches for political campaigning.
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