The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives-CDEDI has condemned increasing cases of violence that have characterized the campaign period ahead of Presidential election.

The Initiative’s Acting Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa has told journalists on Saturday morning in Lilongwe that the barbaric acts are uncalled for in a democratic dispensation.

“This is barbaric and uncalled for in this modern democratic era, and CDEDI therefore condemns the ugly scenes that have taken place in different parts of the country regardless of which political party the perpetrators belong to,” said Namiwa.

He also appealed to the country’s political leaders and the Malawi Electoral Commission to come out in open and condemn the vice.

“It is also disheartening to note that MEC which is the referee for the forthcoming elections, has not uttered any word to either condemn or at least warn the signatories to the pact to keep their promise and we find MEC’s conduct to be very disturbing and regrettable,” said Namiwa.

“We are further calling upon all the political party leaders in the country to desist from the use of hate speech and inflammatory language.”

The Initiative has also sent an appeal to all Malawians to exercise restraint and calm as they patiently wait for the National Assembly to fix the date for the Fresh Presidential Election, which, according to CDEDI, is an apparent opportune time for anyone to vent their anger through the ballot.