Ballot Papers Reconciliation Affects Transmission of Results – MEC

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has said it is failing to collect results from some constituency tally centres because the commission is facing a challenge in balancing up the figures on form 60 A, B and C.

Speaking during a press briefing aimed at updating the nation on election progress at the national tally centre in Blantyre, MEC Chairperson, Dr. Jane Ansah said unless figures balance up on form 60, they will not be able to transfer the results to form 66 for transmission to the main tally centre.

“Election results are written on form 60 A, B and C as the first point of record; from there the results are transferred to form 66 which is then keyed into the system and transferred to the main tally centre. 
 
“I wish to assure the nation that the commission planned for all scenarios. We have back up plans for the results transmission in case we experience power or network technical hitches,” Ansah said.

Ansah, therefore, urged Malawians to remain calm and exercise patience as the results are being transmitted to Comesa Hall which is the main tally centre, saying there is no shortcut to results management.

“The commission has already sent adequate vehicles to retrieve the teams from the centres to the constituency tally centres upon completion of their results transmission. The results we have received are being verified by monitors and later endorsed by MEC.

“Upon endorsing the results, they will be made available to the representatives of political parties and media houses as well as all Malawians,” she said.