Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is scheduled to hold by-elections at Mtope Ward in Mchinji West Constituency on December 22, 2015.

The constituency fall vacant following the death of former ward councillor John Msumatiza (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) who died on July 26 this year.

On Sunday, MEC commissioner the Reverend Emmanuel Chinkwita-Phiri launched calendar of events at Mtope.

In his speech, Chinkwita-Phiri called on political parties participating in the elections to desist from violence during the campaign and during the Election Day.

The meeting was attended by members of political parties such as governing Democratic Party (DPP), opposition MCP and People’s Party (PP), religious and traditional leaders, among others.