Malawi Police Service (MPS) has warned faith leaders against making prophesies about the September 16 General Election outcome, saying the practice is one of the triggers of electoral violence.
Central East Police Region on Monday conducted prayers at its Kasungu Headquarters, asking God to grant peace, harmony and security in the run up and aftermath of the elections.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Reverend Superintendent Martin Nkhoma from National Police Headquarters, said making prophesies about election results is recipe for trouble.
He said: “We plead with chiefs and candidates to tell their people and party supporters about the importance of peace in elections. For pastors, when you make prophesies about election results, you create problems for us and this must be avoided. We must all work towards ensuring that there is peace.”
Nkhoma asked all electoral stakeholders to be diligent and committed to peace building. He also challenged journalists to refrain from portraying the police as enemies of peace, but that they should consider writing about “the good things the police is doing.”
In his sermon, MPS Deputy Director of Spirituals, Reverend Senior Superintendent, Julius Siwinda called for unity and collaboration amongst police officers so that they succeed in repelling threats against the polls.
“The police is an important stakeholder with key responsibility in ensuring that there is a peaceful electoral process. To achieve this, we must remember the need for interdependence in all aspects, collaboration and proper sharing of responsibilities,” said Siwinda.
Commissioner for Central East Police Region, Rhoda Manjolo called for love and tolerance amongst all electoral players, noting that the prayers were important for the country in general and the region in particular.
“We must talk peace regardless of where we come from or our political party affiliation. Police officers are also God-fearing people so it was important to invest some time seeking divine intervention for the work we do and praying for the elections,” she said.
Apostle Isaac Vilimunthazi Nkhoma of Assemblies of God agreed that pastors must help to lead a peaceful electoral process by refraining from making public the prophecies about polls.
There have been pockets of elections-related violence across the country as the nation prepares to elect President, Members of Parliament and councilors in September this year.
