MALAWI deployed the army on Tuesday to contain violence that saw polling stations burnt marring an election seen as the first true test of President Joyce Banda’s scandal-tainted rule.
Polling stations had opened as much as 10 hours late‚ sparking anger and speculation about the fairness of the vote which spilt over into violence – mirroring the southern African country’s volatile politics.
On the outskirts of the commercial capital Blantyre‚ reporters saw the smouldering remains of a polling station that had been torched by voters protesting late delivery of ballot material.
A tent used as a polling station was burnt in another Blantyre township‚ according to electoral commission chief Maxon Mbendera.
In the city centre angry youths staged an impromptu mini-protest chanting anti-government slogans.
In some cases‚ ballot papers were snatched‚ the election chief said.
“Maybe they are trying to rig the election‚” said 38-year-old voter Paul Wind.
“If they think they will frustrate us from voting‚ they are wrong.” Another voter, Fanuel Kapenga, said that “this causes doubt‚ especially if the ruling party wins.”
The stakes are high in this first election since hardline president Bingu wa Mutharika died in office two years ago‚ with his rival heirs reprising their battle for power.
In the days after his death‚ Mutharika’s body was secretly flown around Africa as his brother, Peter, allegedly tried to prevent Joyce Banda – then vice-president – from being sworn in.
Banda‚ 64‚ began her term as a darling of the West‚ feted as one of Africa’s rare women leaders‚ but her government has since been ensnared in a $30-million (R312-million) corruption scandal that has seen foreign donors freeze vital aid.
For 74-year-old Peter Mutharika victory would mean an end to his trial for treason.
Analysts predict Banda will squeak out a win.
“I think the president still has a fighting chance of winning‚” said Boniface Gulani a political scientist at the University of Malawi.
But with the victor expected to take 40% or less of the votes cast in a do-or-die political battle‚ the potential for further violence is high.
“Tensions are running very high‚ especially in Blantyre‚ and if Banda wins the vote then I expect there will be more trouble than we’ve already seen today‚” said Clive Gabay of the Queen Mary University of London.
To try to calm the situation‚ the army was deployed on Tuesday and election officials extended voting by three hours in some cases while ordering some polling stations, especially in areas where there were disruption, to open again yesterday.
Throughout her election campaign Banda has made a virtue of the fact she uncovered the “Cashgate” scandal‚ which saw money siphoned off from the treasury into the hands of top officials‚ and critics say also to Banda’s party war-chest.
“I found this nation almost bankrupt‚” she said after voting in her home village of Domasi‚ near the former capital Zomba.
“I’m getting to the end of those two years‚ and Malawi is at a better place.
“We have grown by 6% economic growth‚ we have fuel‚ we have enough food.”
Twelve candidates are standing in the race for the presidency but pollsters say the victor will be one of three or four front-runners.
Another of Banda’s closest rivals is the political novice and former cleric Lazarus Chakwera‚ 59.
His Malawi Congress Party led the country after independence from Britain for three decades under dictator Kamuzu Banda.
He says the party has now been “rebranded” from its dark past.
Final results should be announced within eight days of voting. — AFP
Poll violence erupts in Malawi
Polling stations had opened as much as 10 hours late‚ sparking anger and speculation about the fairness of the vote which spilt over into violence – mirroring the southern African country’s volatile politics.
On the outskirts of the commercial capital Blantyre‚ reporters saw the smouldering remains of a polling station that had been torched by voters protesting late delivery of ballot material.
A tent used as a polling station was burnt in another Blantyre township‚ according to electoral commission chief Maxon Mbendera.
In the city centre angry youths staged an impromptu mini-protest chanting anti-government slogans.
In some cases‚ ballot papers were snatched‚ the election chief said.
“Maybe they are trying to rig the election‚” said 38-year-old voter Paul Wind.
“If they think they will frustrate us from voting‚ they are wrong.” Another voter, Fanuel Kapenga, said that “this causes doubt‚ especially if the ruling party wins.”
The stakes are high in this first election since hardline president Bingu wa Mutharika died in office two years ago‚ with his rival heirs reprising their battle for power.
In the days after his death‚ Mutharika’s body was secretly flown around Africa as his brother, Peter, allegedly tried to prevent Joyce Banda – then vice-president – from being sworn in.
Banda‚ 64‚ began her term as a darling of the West‚ feted as one of Africa’s rare women leaders‚ but her government has since been ensnared in a $30-million (R312-million) corruption scandal that has seen foreign donors freeze vital aid.
For 74-year-old Peter Mutharika victory would mean an end to his trial for treason.
Analysts predict Banda will squeak out a win.
“I think the president still has a fighting chance of winning‚” said Boniface Gulani a political scientist at the University of Malawi.
But with the victor expected to take 40% or less of the votes cast in a do-or-die political battle‚ the potential for further violence is high.
“Tensions are running very high‚ especially in Blantyre‚ and if Banda wins the vote then I expect there will be more trouble than we’ve already seen today‚” said Clive Gabay of the Queen Mary University of London.
To try to calm the situation‚ the army was deployed on Tuesday and election officials extended voting by three hours in some cases while ordering some polling stations, especially in areas where there were disruption, to open again yesterday.
Throughout her election campaign Banda has made a virtue of the fact she uncovered the “Cashgate” scandal‚ which saw money siphoned off from the treasury into the hands of top officials‚ and critics say also to Banda’s party war-chest.
“I found this nation almost bankrupt‚” she said after voting in her home village of Domasi‚ near the former capital Zomba.
“I’m getting to the end of those two years‚ and Malawi is at a better place.
“We have grown by 6% economic growth‚ we have fuel‚ we have enough food.”
Twelve candidates are standing in the race for the presidency but pollsters say the victor will be one of three or four front-runners.
Another of Banda’s closest rivals is the political novice and former cleric Lazarus Chakwera‚ 59.
His Malawi Congress Party led the country after independence from Britain for three decades under dictator Kamuzu Banda.
He says the party has now been “rebranded” from its dark past.
Final results should be announced within eight days of voting. — AFP
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