PPM wants clarification on Zodiak debate
Peoples Progressive Movement (PPM) has lodged a complaint to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) seeking clarification on why British government is sponsoring campaign of 4 political parties through radio debates when MEC approved and passed 12 parties to contest in the May 20th tripartite elections.
The president of PPM Mark Katsonga Phiri lodged the complaint during one of MEC’s Civic education Meetings inNeno South constituency whereKatsonga is contesting as a Member of Parliament.
Katsonga said his party considers the sponsorship interfering to tripartite elections saying the action has misinformed and misguided the voters to believe that there are only 4 parties contesting.
But responding to the complaint Commissioner Reverend Mezuwa Banda of Malawi Electoral Commission promised to raise the issue in the MEC’s next regular meeting saying as the commission they are yet to meet ever since Zodiak debates started.
Commissioner Banda said the issue raised by PPM leader is relevant because the debates are related to elections and MEC as the body in charge of elections they will evaluate the matter in the MEC’s next meeting.
Meanwhile Malawi Electoral Commission said it was overwhelmed with the turnout of people in Neno during the four days of civic and voter education meeting the commission organised in the district led by Commissioner Reverend Mezuwa Banda.
According to Commissioner Banda this is an evidence that Malawians are ready for May 20 tripartite elections as most people were hungry for information because they were coming in large number and asked relevant questions about tripartite elections.
Commissioner Banda said through those meetings they have been able to get issues and questions that people in remote areas have concerning May 20 tripartite elections and they will take into consideration some of the matter that were raised by prospective voters.
Among others the meetings were aimed at civic educating the masses and community leaders on voter process as well as on how to conduct clean and issue based campaign.
