Peace and calm was the prevalent atmosphere across the country’s four main cities of Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu as Malawians yesterday flocked to polling centres to cast their votes.

The Nation’s spot-checks revealed that the city’s central business districts were deserted as most shops remained closed and only a handful of vendors were spotted selling their merchandise.

In separate random interviews, the few people The Nation talked to said despite expecting a peaceful atmosphere, they were cautious about the situation.

“I was expecting that it would be a peaceful environment, but I was not sure if I would be safe at the same time coming to town to run a few errands. Anything can happen that is what I told myself; hence, I was cautious coming to town,” said Jessica Mandala, a Blantyre resident.

In a separate interview, John Moffat a vendor trading outside Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre a stone throw away from Blantyre Sports Arena where there was a polling centre, said he was certain of a peaceful environment on the voting day.

He said: “We all agreed as vendors that we should not be involved in any form of violence on this day because in such situations, it is us who suffer the most. So, for us, peace was of the essence.”

Only a few eateries were open some with a few staff while the major outlets remained closed, with some being guarded by armed police officers. Some police vehicles were also seen patrolling the streets, especially during morning hours.

Empty minibuses were seen roaming around the streets looking for passengers—amid empty bus stages.

In busy market places, only a handful of people were seen buying groceries where most of the benches were empty. Shebeens located in market places were also partly empty with a few imbibers patronising them.

Similarly, a vegetable vendor at Matawale in Zomba, Yasmin Manda, said vendors from where she plies her trade resolved to deal with anybody who would disturb their peace.