MEC Fires Warning Shots on Parties, Media

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has fired a warning shot to political parties who are pressurising the commission to release the results of the May 2019 tripartite elections.

This follows a statement and press briefing by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday at his Namiwawa residence where he accused the electoral body of failing to release the results in time.

In the statement, Chakwera said there were some people who are plotting to interfere with the process of tallying results by giving people false information as a result of absence of official results by MEC.

“I wish to call on MEC to expedite its operations and address the factors delaying the process of transmitting and announcing results to ease public fear of tampering with election results. It is hard to wait for so long for the final results to be announced.

“I am especially disturbed by reports from our monitors across the country that many MEC Presiding Officers are refusing to give our monitors a copy of the results sheet they signed,” he said.

Meanwhile, MEC Chairperson Justice Dr. Jane Ansah sounded a warning during a press briefing (Wednesday) aimed at updating the nation on election progress at Comesa Hall in Blantyre, saying political parties should not force the commission to release the results.

“Political parties should refrain from pressurising MEC to release the official results because if not properly checked and verified, the results may cause alarm and incite violence among people.

“We have provided enough results sheets and therefore parties must report the monitors who refuse to give the signed results sheet to the Presiding Officer or District Commissioner.

“The monitors themselves should not also give in to intimidation by these parties,” Ansah said.

The MEC Chairperson also said journalists should not allow the audience to use inflammatory statements whenever doing live broadcasts or phone-in programmes, adding: “Journalists should use their knowledge and skills to cut off audience making hate speeches.”

She, therefore, warned political parties and their followers to avoid celebrating that they have already won the elections. She said it was only the commission that has the mandate vested through the constitution to endorse and make results official.

As of May 22, 2019, MEC had received results of 1, 436, 400 casted votes from 1, 784 centres out of the 5002 polling centres, representing 35.67 per cent.