HRDC To Continue Ant-Ansah Demonstrations

Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC says it will be demonstrating every Tuesday and Friday.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe Chairperson of HRDC, Timothy Mtambo said since chairperson of Malawi Electoral Commission Justice Dr Jane Ansah has not resigned, they will continue mass demonstrations for 3 weeks.

Mtambo said “if Ansah does not step down we will be holding demonstrations 4 days of the week until she quits.”

He condemned those saying they are demonstrating because MEC Chair is a woman but emphasized that their protest is against her mismanagement of 21st May Tripartite Elections.

Mtambo said police should arrest anyone who starts violence as the peaceful demonstrations are not meant to disturb Malawians.

Commenting, Chancellor College based political analyst Dr Mustafa Hussein has urged organizers of demonstrations aimed at forcing MEC Char Dr Jane Ansah to resign to properly coordinate with security organs in the country to ensure maximum security.

Speaking to radio Islam, Dr Hussein said “the right to hold demonstrations is enshrined in the country’s constitution hence there is no need to bar people from enjoying it.”

He however added that organizers need to pass messages to people who will attend the demonstrations that looting is discouraged.

Dr Hussein also said government request that organizers meet costs for the looting which happened during previous demonstrations is unfair and against tenets of democracy.