The opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has called on the Malawi Police Service to be impartial and respect people’s right to association to avoid conflicts in the 2019 polls.

MCP Vice President and 2019 presidential running mate Sidik Mia made the call following attempts by the Malawi Police Service to cancel his rally at Msondole in Zomba on Sunday saying president Peter Mutharika was scheduled to pass in Zomba on his way to Mangochi for Christmas holiday.

“It would have been justifiable if Mutharika was to conduct a rally in the district or that MCP rally’s venue was any closer to the main road where Mutharika was to pass yet it was some 10 kilometers from the main road,” said Mia angrily.

He called on the police to stop abusing its powers in trying to silence people saying the threat the police used that they will throw teargas if the party continued with the rally was a non-starter.

But reacting to the accusation, Eastern Region Police headquarters through its Publicist, Inspector Joseph Sauka distanced itself from the allegation.

“Police is not aware of the allegation and that is why Mia conducted his rally.”