Ansah says MEC ready for Lilongwe parliamentary by-elections
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is ready to hold by-elections in Lilongwe South constituency after the commission announced that it had postponed them due to political violence.
MEC Chairperson, Jane Ansah, Thursday said the commission called for the Lilongwe Multiparty Liaison Committee (MPLC) among others, to address issues from concerned parties and stakeholders before it announces a day for elections.
She said the decision to suspend the elections was arrived upon to protect lives as party supporters continued attacking each other, leading to serious injuries and loss of property.
“The commission was always on the ground monitoring the situation in the area working hand in hand with all stakeholders involved in the elections. Unfortunately, things got out of hand four days before the elections forcing the commission to suspend the elections in the area.
“It was so disappointing that there was no tolerance hence our decision. We are here today to listen to your concerns and commitment for a clean campaign so that it helps us map the way forward and be certain that there will be a free and fair election,” she said.
She said once the commission announces the date, they will be vigilant and any candidate found guilty of breaching the code of conduct will be shown the exit door.
Ansah said should all parties fail to abide by the elections code of conduct, MEC will not hesitate to continue putting the constituency on hold until they put the house in order.
District Commissioner (DC) for Lilongwe, Lawford Palani thanked MEC chairperson for the mediation saying the move will help mend the broken relationships in the constituency.
“As a council, we were so weighed down by the decision but at the same time it was the best move because lives were at stake and it wasn’t going to be any better had the commission decided to go ahead with the by-elections,” said Palani.
He urged all parties and stakeholders to hold hands and work towards a peaceful election as they wait to hear from MEC.
Candidate for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Peter Dimba commended MEC Chairperson for bringing them together to a round table to listen to their concern and map the way forward.
He said the decision MEC made affected him as he had already spent a lot on campaigning.
“I personally was so disappointed with the decision and I thought it will take the commission forever to hold the elections considering that the violence that erupted was so dirty and life threatening,” Dimba said. “I am so happy today that the body has quickly reconsidered us again and as a party we commit to a clean campaign and we hope that we will make it and go for a free and fair election.”
Democratic Progressive Party candidate, Frank Mazizi also promised a clean campaign.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Akuyambiranso izi? Koma amayi away inu
So sad to have such an evil woman in Malawi.Surely,the love of money has killed most of our people in our country.A shameless woman indeed!
Jane Ansa again as who, nonsense!
The truth is ansa and dpp are bent on winning the lilongwe south election. How can you ask candidates to control their followers when the candidate doesn’t have a register for his followers. Where are the police. In this situation the candidates have been tricked and in the invent of violence mec will disqualify the candidate they don’t want in favor of their candidate. There is general breakdown of law and order because of may 21 elections and everyone is aware that there are people who don’t want present mec to conduct an election. Why should a candidate be disqualified… Read more »
I don’t understand why the Jane Ansah is not being called to court. Is she too powerful and above the law? She is the one who runs the election yet her side of the story is not being heard. Malawi is full of fearful cowards. That is why corruption will never end. Who is she after messing up an election she is still being allowed to conduct more elections. Are Malawians this stupid. No wonder after completing my time in diaspora I am coming back to rule this country. It is full of fools.
Malawians are indeed full of shit. After you, I will have my dog rule the country for ten years!!
Kandulu, not full of fools but meanwhile the country is in a situation whereby we are moving towards justice for all. First, things had to go the way they did in the court then the Jane Ansah matter won’t be much of a big deal there after. Be calm.
Mec needs special PRAYERS and deliverance —–There’s a huge demon
Confusing MEC administration system (prophecy )