By Suleman Chitera, Blantyre Malawi

A group calling itself Citizens for Credible Elections has announced plans to hold demonstrations in the city of Blantyre this coming Thursday, aimed at forcing the Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Annabel Mtalimanja, and the Commission’s Chief Elections Officer, Andrew Mpesi, to resign from their positions.

According to the group’s Southern Region Chairperson, Asabuni Phiri, and its Secretary, Aida Mazinga, the demonstrations will start from Chichiri Upper Stadium and proceed along Chipembere Highway to MEC’s Southern Region offices in the city.

Speaking at a press conference held in Blantyre today, the group said MEC officials have shown that they are incapable of managing a free and fair election. As an example, they cited MEC’s refusal to allow independent electoral observers to review the Commission’s processes ahead of the upcoming elections.

The group emphasized that, in addition to police presence, they will also deploy their own security marshals to ensure that the protests remain peaceful and free from violence.