CSOs, opposition dismiss international poll observers findings on Malawi election: ‘Falls short of credibility test’
Civil society organisations (CSOs) under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and opposition party spokesman say President Peter Mutharika should not be misled by the findings of the international election observers who said the May 21 election was free, fair, credible and transparent.
President Peter Mutharika , in a BBC interview on Monday, wondered why the opposition was challenging the election result in court and HRDC is demanding the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah when international poll observers and others certified the May poll was free, fair, credible and transparent.
“ It’s very clear that the election was fair and credible. The European Union, the African Union, the Common Market for East and Central Africa [Comesa], Southern Africa Community Development [Sadc], the UNDP and even the American government said this election was successful. All these groups have said the elections were fair, credible and transparent,” said Mutharika
But HRDC vice chairperson Gift Trapence said the international election observers could not tell the gospel truth, saying the Malawi 2019 polls were not credible but flawed.
“The international observers cannot tell Malawians what to do. MEC was not professional enough to prevent some of the irregularities,” said Trapence.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Maurice Munthali said Mutharika is simply not in tune with what is happening in Malawi.
Political analyst George Phiri said credibility of an election cannot be based just on international observers only.
He said local observers and other electoral stakeholders can make viable assessment on how an election has been conducted.
Since May 27 this year when MEC declared Mutharika of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) winner of the presidential race in the May 21 Tripartite Elections with 1 940 740 votes, representing 38.8 percent, the country has been politically unstable, with nationwide demonstrations which in some cases have been marred by looting and violence.
MCP presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera on second position with 1 781 740 votes, representing 35.41 percent and UTM Party presidential candidate Saulos Chilima who came third, ahead of four other aspirants, with 1 018 369 votes, representing 20.24 percent are jointly challenging the results in the Constitutional Court and seeking nullification of the presidential poll results.
The two cite alleged flaws in the results management process as a key factor for their case.
On the other hand, HRDC has vowed to continue with the nationwide demonstrations until Ansah resigns or is fired by Mutharika.
Ansah, a judge of Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, has vehemently dismissed calls for her resignation, saying she will wait for the court process.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
International observers can’t tell Malawi wat to do!?aren’t u the one who said you want to report Malawi government to international organisations?Can to see that uR crazy and confused?..just shut up! uR wasting time.
Umu ndimene ALlomwe amaganizira ngati munthu wowayawaya pa mseu.
International observers are some of the most inept and corrupt to the core people on the planet. They fly into a country, stay in posh hotels receive huge allowances and fly back to their home base only to write nonsense. Tambo Mbeki is one of the most corrupt rots in Africa. Who leaves before results are even announced? What happened to post election observations? These so called international observers should not be allowed in any country. Let them stay home and observe their own white asses. They are not only useless but also a waste of tax payers resources. They… Read more »
Munthalika you are so stupid, you and your international observers must go to hell, the truth will prevail soon we as Malawians we say the elections were not free and fair, your days are numbered old dragon,Malawi will soon be in a right truck after you gone very shortly..
Ask those so called international observers if they could say the same if all what we hear about these elections happened in their respective countries. The only International “observer” who has told us the truth so far in the Audit firm.
IN FACT ALL INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS ARE TOO STUPID TELL THEM WHEREEVER THEY ARE AND THEY FOOLS.
WHICH FREE AND FAIR ANALYST, TIPEX, FAILING TO BRING AUDITING REPORT, FAKE BALLOTS, EVEN AKID KNOWS THAT ELECTIONS WERE RIGGED
trrue true !!!!!!!
And Ansah and Peter shielding each other while at it! Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to put 1 & 2 together.
Zisankho zinayenda bwino zedi aliyese amawonera pa TV komaso pa ma radios .koma Vuto ndi atsogoleri otsutsa onwe anayamba kale kale kudana ndi president.chitsazo chabwino ndi ichi Achilima ndiwomwe adathawa ntchito yomwe analembedwa ndi president sitikudziwa kuti ntchito inawakulira kapena kut inawachepera .koma yese wachilungamo akhoza kuvomereza kut ntchito inawakulira achilima mngakhale pa u khasala sakukwanira.zoti olo zitavuta bwanji or awononge katundu wa anthu sangakhale mtsogoleri wadziko ,analephera kutumikira amalawi nde kuli bwanji atakhala president ?.Achakwera nde ndiomweso anayiwara kut mphatso imachokera kwa Mulungu mdalitso wa munthu wina sungakhale wako.Nde osewa ndiwomwe awononga amalawi kuti adzidana ndi president koma zisankho… Read more »
The elections were flawed. Look Kaphale just told t5he court yesterday that he is not ready to provide the audit report because there is slow communication between BDO Jordan and MEC what a rubbish is this this guy saying/. He thinks we are children and a report which is already made can not be changed it remains the same MEC and Kaphale are in trouble here. You can crook 18million people. You failed to comply court order and now you want 10days to hell.
All international observers are lucking morals.Did you ever hear that SADC has solved the political turmoil in a certain country?All heads of Sadc countries are corrupt and what do you expect from them to support their fellow bird since birds of the same feathers they always flock together.Why APM is only mentioning about International Observers without mentioning Malawians?He must be ashamed of himself with his remarks.