We said it before that the government was afraid of the Electoral Reforms [Amendment] Bills— especially the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections one— and would do anything to shoot it down.
It was clear in the first place when the government played all cards in the book of crooks to delay and frustrate the tabling of the bills in Parliament. Yesterday, the obvious happened when, strangely, the government side shot down the bills dully prepared by itself.
Of all the bills, the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections, commonly referred to as the 50 percent+1 was one that the nation hoped for, knowing that it was going to sanitise the country’s shambolic electoral system. But, as it proved yesterday, it was not only the government that was afraid of the bill but also opposition Members of Parliament.
Now that the bill has been blocked, it is time for the nation to reflect on why it has happened and the path that we have taken. First, what is pronounced in all this is betrayal. Secondly, what we see is crookedness on the part of the government.
Those who have been saying that we have a nation that has mastered the art of deception are not very far from the truth just as those who believe that this nation is full of politicians— both in the government and opposition—who do not have integrity and move around with a price tag hanging on their heads.
We said it before that the only reason the government brought the bills to Parliament was to ease pressure that was mounting on it. The pressure was actually increased when the Public Affairs Committee (Pac) planned to stage nationwide demonstrations which were later to be called off. The moment Pac decided to stop the planned demos, those with foresight knew that it was a mistake. Knowing that there was little pressure, the government decided to do what it is good at and now this is what we have. Pac is now left with eggs all over its face.
But it is not only Pac which is to be blamed for betraying the nation. Actually, Members of Parliament from both sides have let down the nation greatly.
Those who decided to abstain and those who were absent are actually the people that posterity will blame for their acts of cowardice, selfishness and betrayal.
But we know that 2019 is not very far away. When that time comes, we hope Malawians will remember who betrayed them, and vote wisely
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