Election expert calls for new body to look into poll hitches
A local election expert has called for the formation of a new body to handle election problems at national level, saying the current National Elections Consultative Forum (Necof) is too big to handle emergency poll woes.
Charles Mkandawire, former chairperson of Malawi Elections Systems Network (Mesn) and Sadc elections organization said a lean mediation team would dispose off election problems on time.
“The mediation mission or whatever you can call it can analyse disputes and make sure there is peace among disputing parties. This group can have 10 to 15 highly professional people who can handle and analyse disputes and make recommendations to MEC (Malawi Electoral Commission), he said.
MEC chief executive officer Sam Alufandika welcomed the idea saying Necof has a huge and staggering membership which makes it impossible to come up with one voice and resolutions.
“Necof might not be able to resolve disputes at national level, this is why we need a smaller team,” he said.
At district and lower levels, multiparty liaison committees handle elections related disputes.
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The election expert is confused! NECOF, as the name suggests, is a consultative forum. It is not a despute management body . MEC presents reports on various activities and plans as well as consults on various policy issues, and legitimizes policies .
Despute resolution is a mandate of MEC , which it has delegates to MPLCs at district level.
It is a good thought to establish another body to inquire or carry out forensic investigation in malawi electoral commission and what transpired and triggered that kind of malpractice that rocked the M.E.C. It has lost the trust of people and even among themselves seem to have been divided due to the preference and the interest of an individual. It is high time for government and people made a decision that could help and gear for peace and tranqulity to prevail in forthcoming election.