The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming general election is conducted in a credible, peaceful, and highly ethical manner.
The Director of Social Services for the archdiocese, Brian Odiambo, shared these sentiments on Friday, August 22, at Msamba Catholic Centre in Lilongwe.
Odiambo said justice is the profound backbone of a peaceful election, urging all relevant stakeholders to act professionally and prioritize people’s needs.
“There is a strong conviction that peace is the fruit of justice; this work only matters if it protects people, strengthens trust, and allows the truth to breathe. Our commitment to this is clearly non-partisan, professional, and people-centered. We, therefore, implore all other players to act in line with this,” Odiambo said.
“I want you to know that your role extends beyond polling day. Your mission is to watch the whole journey, not just the finish line. Observe the pre-election environment, document incidents, verify facts, and file timely reports. Be courteous, be non-interfering, and always prioritize people’s safety and dignity. Share local realities candidly and escalate issues early so they can be addressed before they harden into crises.” Odiambo urged the Long-Term Observers.
In his remarks, CCJP district coordinator for Nkhotakota, Precious Rabson expressed his gratitude for the orientation, stating it would go a long way toward ensuring a credible and peaceful general election within the archdiocese’s catchment area and throughout Malawi as a whole.
Rabson called on all long-term observers in all the deaneries to remain vigilant, focused, and disciplined in their work.
“I ask my friends to maintain a disciplined reporting cadence and foster a culture of verification. Remember to put facts first, get names right, and be exact about times, as every detail strengthens credibility. We need to have a rigorous observation and take courage, honesty, and dedication as our compass for peace to take root in our country,” Rabson stated.
During the orientation, the district coordinators also shared their reports from all the deaneries in the archdiocese. The meeting brought together all the CCJP district coordinators, the CCJP secretariat, several Catholic priests, and some administrative staff from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
By Alex Nasoni