Protests organized today by civil society groups under the banner “Citizens for Credible Elections” in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, were disrupted by masked men carrying machetes and other weapons.

The demonstrations were aimed at forcing the resignation of the country’s elections body, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Anabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi.

The group accuses the duo of mismanaging the institution and lacking transparency by not allowing an independent body to audit the Elections Management Systems (EMS) that MEC plans to use in the upcoming elections scheduled for September this year.

One of the lead organizers, Sylvester Namiwa, emphasized the need for an independent auditor to review the system.

“What we want is for MEC to allow an independent auditor to review its system,” said Namiwa.

The demonstrators, many of whom were youths, gathered at Lilongwe Community Ground in the morning to march and deliver their petition to the district commissioner’s office.

However, masked men armed with machetes appeared and dispersed the demonstrators, manhandling the leaders in the presence of the police.

The group also vandalized two vehicles at the scene, including one carrying the PA system for the demonstrators.

The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission has condemned the violence and called on the police to investigate the incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the events and await the police’s report on what transpired,” said Bishop Mkosi, Chairperson of the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission.

The police have not yet commented on the incident.

Similar demonstrations have taken place in other cities, including Blantyre, the country’s major business city, Mangochi, and Mzuzu.

Malawians are scheduled to go to the polls on September 16 this year.