MEC chair concedes no compromise on free, fair polls

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson, Justice Anastazia Msosa has conceded that Malawians would not accept anything other than a free, fair and peaceful elections next year.

Opposition parties in Malawi have been cautioning the Commission to level the playing field for the polls to avoid the turmoil which erupted in Kenya following unfair poll results and Zimbabwe.

The Malawi electoral body lacks credibility as opposition parties challenged the appointment of Commissioner by President Bingu Mutharika who did not consult them as stakeholders as required by the Constitution.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader and United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidate have since appealed to Supreme Court on the decision by the High Court that the appointments were lawful.

Speaking at Chiradzulu during a meeting with multiparty liaison committee on re-alignment of wards and constituency boundaries, Msosa said democracy is strengthened if polls are free, fair and peaceful.

"Democracy is consolidated when elections are held in a free, fair and peaceful manner because there are no complaints from the stakeholders about the results," she said.

She also assured that the environment for fair polls will be created.

"On our part as commission, we will do our best to ensure that we create a conducive environment for the conduct of free and fair, transparent and accessible elections," assured Msosa.

Msosa also urged political parties to encourage more women to stand as candidates arguing that 60% of the electorates are always women hence the need for them also to be elected in leadership positions.

One of the commissioners Prof. Brown Chimphamba also urged political parties to instil principles of democracy to their candidates so that those who contest should learn to accept the outcome of the elections.

According to Msosa date for the commencement of registration of voters would be communicated soon.