Human rights organizations raise alarm over widespread abuses, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances during recent national polls
By Burnett Munthali
Human rights organizations have condemned the recent national election, describing it as one of the most violent and oppressive in the country’s recent history.
According to multiple rights groups, the electoral process was overshadowed by a wave of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings targeting opposition members, activists, and journalists.
Observers say the environment of fear and repression undermined the credibility of the vote and denied citizens the opportunity to freely express their political will.
Reports indicate that security forces and ruling party militias were deployed across several regions during the campaign period, allegedly to suppress dissent and prevent opposition gatherings.
Witnesses described scenes of armed officers patrolling streets, blocking rallies, and breaking up peaceful protests with excessive force.
In some areas, activists and independent election observers were reportedly detained without charge, while others went missing under unclear circumstances.
Human rights defenders have accused authorities of using state power to silence critics and manipulate the outcome of the election in favour of the ruling elite.
The alleged extrajudicial killings have drawn particular outrage, with families of victims demanding justice and accountability from the government.
Local organizations say that the crackdown intensified in the days following the announcement of the election results, as protesters took to the streets to challenge what they called a “stolen mandate.”
International watchdogs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for an independent investigation into the reported human rights violations.
They argue that free and fair elections cannot exist in an environment where fear, violence, and impunity dominate the political landscape.
The international community has also expressed concern, urging the authorities to respect human rights, restore civil liberties, and ensure the safety of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
Civil society leaders have warned that continued repression could push the country further into political instability and deepen divisions among its citizens.
They have also appealed to regional bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations to intervene and help mediate a peaceful resolution to the growing crisis.
As calls for justice grow louder, many citizens remain anxious about the government’s next steps and whether those responsible for the violence will ever be held accountable.
The disputed election has left the nation grappling with questions about democracy, governance, and the future of human rights in the country.
For now, the people’s demand is clear — an end to state-sponsored violence and a restoration of the rule of law that guarantees freedom, fairness, and dignity for all.
