The quasi religious bodies Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) and the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) are calling upon the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to investigate alleged acts of misconduct involving some candidates in December 15 Parliamentary by-election.

“We have noted that some candidates were campaigning outside campaign period which is an irregularity,” said CCJP national coordinator Bonface Chibwana during a press briefing on Monday afternoon in Lilongwe.

Chibwana added they have further noted complacency in observing COVID-19 measures during the just ended campaign period.

“We are worried that with fears of a second wave of the pandemic, people’s lives could be at risk,” noted Chibwana.

The two bodies have further expressed concern over what they called lack of issue based campaign and the continued practice of issuing of handouts to induce the electorate to vote for them.

The two organisations have since envisioned a free and fair by-election, expressing hope that MEC will ably handle challenges that might arise in the course of the poll.

Today’s by-elections are taking place in Mangochi North East, Mangochi West and Phalombe North Constituencies.

Credit: MBC