Islamic Commission for Justice and Peace, Civil Society Platform for Constructive Dialogue and Stream of Life say a peaceful and responsible campaign is possible if politicians stick to issue based campaign.

“We have noted with concern with the direction the presidential election campaign has taken, especially regarding attacks and insults.

“We are reminding all political parties especially DPP-UDF Alliance [Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – United Democratic Front (UDF) Alliance] and Tonse Alliance that the era of taking the campaign period as an opportunity or instrument to harass, humiliate, demonize, defame, intimidate and repress political opponent is over.

“If a political party or candidate is associated with this, they should be cautious because it has tendency to rebound. Parties and candidates have the responsibility to seriously address real issues, elaborate their manifestos so that voters should judge them based on their ideas and on how they would resolve problems facing our nation today,” said the organizations in a statement.

The country has recently witnessed a spate of political violence when Tonse Alliance rallies in Phalombe were disrupted by acts of violence that left journalists injured on Friday.

On Saturday, DPP Running Mate, Atupele Muluzi, was blocked in Dowa from proceeding to Kasungu to hold a campaign rally.