Malawi Electoral Commission soften up on reforms: Ready to implement 50-plus-one system if passed into law
Malawi Electoral Commission ( MEC) has softed up on its earlier position regarding implementation of the proposed electoral reforms in the 2019 Tripartite Elections which may see a 50-plus-one electoral system.
Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and other observers have recommended such electoral law amendments.
But MEC is waiting in the wings for key stakeholders in the review of the laws – Parliament and the Executive – to make a move of amending the laws.
The electoral body says it would appreciate if the reforms are passed in time to enable them prepare well for the 2019 elections.
MEC director responsible for media and public relations, Sangwanu Mwafulirwa has assured that the electoral body “will give all the support” towards the reforms.
Leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera is pushing for electoral reforms through his Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
According to Chakwera, the country’s electoral laws have a lot of loopholes which should be addressed before the 2019 tripartite elections.
Among others, he cited the questions raised over the legitimacy of a government elected with less than 50 percent approval from the electorate, but also a time limit for MEC to announce results.
In the May 2014 Tripartite Elections, President Peter Mutharika won the presidential election with 36 percent of the votes cast while Chakwera came second with 27 percent.
If Malawi had a 50-plus-one electoral system, there would have been a rerun of the presidential election after May 20 2014.
UDF plus DPP 60%stop dreaming MCP will never rule Malawi.
I do not care who becomes the President of Malawi in 2019 as long as he/she gets the 50+1 % of the electorate. This we call popular mandate.
It is not about the party but popular support of the President to be.
Going forward, the country country should ponder over having parties based on ideologies and not those who founded them. We will then reduce the number of parties and regional conflicts. It is shameful for a country like Malawi to have over 20 parties for nothing!!!!!
50+1 is the right way tu go , tione ndi 36/ yanuyo.
ITS HIGH TIME MEC H/QTRS MOVE TO THE CENTRE, LL for both econonical, transperency and accountability. a chipani cha DPP MUSAYESE DALA TO DIVERT NDALAMA ZA 2017 /2018 BUDGET KU CAMPAIGN.chaponda analephela kuba in the name of maize purchase from Zambia.NSANJE PORT FOR WHAT? WE ALL HEARD MOZAMBIQUE GOVT IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROJECT.aGOODALL GONDWE NSANJE PORT ALLOCATION YOU HAVE MUST BE USED TO EMBARK ON A 300 Km RAILWAY LINE FROM NSANJE TO BAIRA.anthu a ku Nsanje khalani maso and report to Police and ACB.a tola nkhani be alert and report to the nation.Parliamentarians chitaponi kanthu.No single tambala… Read more »
So all these years MCP was losing elections because there was no 50+? Please be ashamed of yourself. 50+ or no 50+ MCP will never win elections in this country. The party should not think it will have the northern votes if there will be a re-run. What criteria has the party have that it can woo the whole north to its side? This is just wishful thinking. With the runaway pastor on the front, the one cursed by God, the MCP will never see the doors of Sanjika.
Nyasatimes please get a new picture of sangwanu mwafulira. this one you have overused it. we want a new picture for 2019 elections and not this 2014 picture. your reporters should be resourceful.
MEC this is now talking. the onus now is in the hands of the legislators including MCP to pass the reforms osati zomangolankhula chizungu basi. we need action. Sangwani and MEC this is good coming
What we advocate in DPP is well above 50+1. We shall give whoever comes over 60+1 to silence the opposition once for all.
mwayambapo now, tikhalire sangwani this, sangwani that
DPP MUNALONJEDZA
MOMBERA UNIVERDITY
AIRPORT
STADIUM
KWA ANZATHU KU MPOTO
NTHAWI YATHA MUTI
CHANI ??
KAPENA MUYAMBA KUPHYANGA NGATI ATCHEYA KUTI SINDINKATI WAUKERE KOMA WAULEYA ???
ATHANDIDZENI WANTHU ASAFIKE POFUNA KUKHALA KINGDOM CHONSEECHO
NDI PAKAMWA PANUPO