MEC demands best service from staff to consolidate Malawi democracy

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has asked its newly recruited staff to give their best if they are to play a noble role that will contribute to the consolidation of democracy through holding of credible by-elections.

Commissioner Elvey Kalonga Mtafu made the statement at the New Jerusalemu Private Secondary School in Mzuzu city on Sunday when she closed a two-day training workshop for voter registration, verification for quality control managers, camera operators and supervisors.

The training was aimed at equipping the new staff with all the information, knowledge and skills that they will need to perform their duties effectively ahead of the registration exercise which commences this coming Wednesday .

Mzuzu city in particular Chibanja ward will hold the by-elections on July 25 to give residents of the area a platform to choose a new councilor to represent them at the district council on matters of development.

Charles Nyirongo who was duly elected on May 20, 2014 Malawi Tripartite Elections to represent the people of this area, died last year hence the by-elections.

But Mtafu who was the guest of honour said voter registration and verification in any election are vital if the people are to exercise their governance right.

“Let me ask you the beneficiaries of the workshop to put to good use all what you have horned to avoid messing up the democracy,” Mtafu said.

The commissioner said during the previous registration exercise, the commission had received complaints that some registration staff were disrespectful to registrants, the malpractice she said should not be repeated to avoid undermining the credibility of the by-elections including tarnishing the commissions reputation.

She urged the staff including those of the secretariat and district offices to be courteous and polite to all people who come for the verification or registration so that every person to come to the centers is not discouraged by the fear of facing unkind registration staff.

She warned that MEC will fire anyone caught in the malpractices.

One of the staff Edina Chione said the training was an eye-opener.

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