Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has revealed that if its leader Lazarus Chakwera had not appealed for calm during the post-May 20 election impasse, the country risked degenerating into bloody political violence.The party says a lot of anger was boiling in the hearts of many Malawians such that they were ready for war “in order to reclaim MCP’s 20 May tripartite election victory”.

Speaking on Saturday at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe dur ing one of the pa r ty’s ‘thanksgiving’ rallies, MCP Central Region Chairperson, Daniel Mlomo, claimed that the country’s leadership was supposed to be in the hands of Chakwera.

“Without hiding anything, let me emphasise that the mighty MCP won the 20 May elections. Victory was stolen from us. But, let us not lose heart. Let us keep the faith,” Mlomo told MCP supporters who graced the rally.

He added: “We have to thank our president Rt. Hon. Dr Lazarus Chakwera because there could have been chaos in the country had he not urged Malawians to remain peaceful after it was obvious that MCP was being robbed of victory.”

Mlomo further charged that MCP’s number of Members of Parliament surged to 77 during the elections, only for the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) to engage in deliberate delays which saw the number shrink to 48.

“Someone was scheming with others and saw that once he became president with fewer MPs, he would not manage the pressure from us and subsequently stole our MPs’ votes,” said Mulomo.

In a separate interview, MCP spokesperson, Jessie Kabwila, said her party maintains that the 20 May election was rigged and that no one will stop MCP from saying that.

Kabwila reiterated that MCP will not rest until the truth regarding the infamous Cashgate scandal is fully known.

“Malawians deserve to know what exactly happened for billions of kwacha to end up in some individuals’ pockets. We will be failing in our duties if we don’t pursue the matter.

“People who were involved in Cashgate should give Malawians their money back. Here, we are talking about those who stole public funds during the UDF, DPP and PP eras,” said Kabwila.

She also disclosed that her party will be vigilant on the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) so that it is not politicised and no one is left out.

“DPP said they would not adopt the subsidy programme. But now they say they are using it. Now, what we are saying is that all those who are eligible of benefitting should benefit. We will not sit and watch the programme being wrecked,” said Kabwila.

According to the MCP spokesperson, Chakwera was supposed to grace the Masintha rally, but failed to make it because he had received a funeral message.

People Party has also made a similar observation that the acceptance of the elections outcome by its leaders nipped post elections violence in the bud.

The comment s by MCP and PP follow what happened on May 20 when poor organisation left the country reeling and at risk of violence.

On May 20, some parts of Blantyre descended into chaos because numerous polling centres failed to open in time due to lack of voting materials.

Violent protests erupted in some townships when hundreds of voters rioted and burnt down polling stations.

The violence turned ugly in Mangochi where police shot dead a protester as demonstrators were smashing shop windows and burning tyres.

Two police officers were seriously injured during the Mangochi fracas.
A number of candidates alleged fraud and serious irregularities and pressed for the nullification of the electoral process.

It took the intervention of the High Court to rule that Mec should release the results despite calls for vote recounting.