Malawi Electoral Commission to have fixed times for by elections
Pollster, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has said it will now have fixed dates for by elections for proper planning and budgeting.
MEC chairman Mackson Mbendera said all by elections, whether parliamentary or local government will now be held in April and October to enable both the government and the pollster plan and prepare the by-elections to detail unlike the current arrangement when they are held ad-hoc.
The current laws provide that by-elections should be held 60 days after the death or resignation of elected office bearers.
Mbendera said this on Friday in Zomba during the opening of a two day workshop for polling staff at Zomba Chisi where a by election would be held on December 22 following the death of member of parliament for the area Peter Mangulenje.
The main battle is between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its archrival the People’s Party (PP).
The United Democratic Front (UDF) is supporting the ruling party candidate as it is not fielding a candidate.
It would be a great surprise for the main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to grab the parliamentary seat from the DPP.
Independent candidate cannot be ruled out in taking the seat.
Mbendera asked the polling staff to be neutral, saying MEC would take action against any partisan staff during the election.
However, Mbendera did not mention tax payers funded Malawi Broadcasting Corporation which is blatantly biased towards the ruling party as opposition party rallies are not covered.
With the powers vested upon u Your Excellency Prof. Peter A. Mutharika, plz fire Maxon Mbendera and replace him with the Learned Judge of the MCP’s choice, because come 2019 the DPP led Government will win with yet another landslide Victory no matter who wil be MEC Chairperson then, so we dnt want these fools to start singing the same old song of Elections rigging. DPP Woyeeeeeeeee!
Wen has mbendera known that he nids tob neutral??
No mahara
The best thing is to cut off mbenderas head. The man has spoiled Malawi. I hope I dont see hos crocondile tears again in 2019. 2019 donors will not give money so hoping he will not steal votes for APM. Malawi can not continue like this. Coonde a Malawi not DPP. Kusauka koseku because of DPP. APM is too old and not loved by donors. Anaba too much. Too much to buy Mbenderas. If Mbendera repeat The same as 2014 I have gotta Gun I put a Gun in hus head to save my beloved Malawi.
Great thinking, this MEC is very innovative. I like everything they do. Okamba adzikamba. Ine ndilibe problem
Mpakana lero mukumunamizila Mbendera kuti anakulepheretsani chisankho.
Musaiwale kuti MEC ILI panoyi ndi ya Amai anu nkuona inadzadza ndi anthu a ndale amene ankangokunamizani mmalo mokuuzani chilungamo. Anangokudyerani ndalama.
Achimwene mukapitiliza kudzinamiza kumeneku mudzaliranso 2019.
Yambani kukonzekera mmalo momangokuwa kuwa.
Zomwe akuyankhula Mbendera lero ngati sitikudziwa ife. Popeza zanu zidayenda lero mukudya money mumvekere osatenga mbali. Mulungu akulangani sure
The first thing is that bendera must be manhandled for stealing general elections results and MEC must be disbanded and parliament introduce vacancies for all positions and MEC should be made INDEPENDENT ELECTROL COMMISSION IEC Final stupid pipo.
But Mr mbendera do you know that up to date I’ve not received my allowances for the last general elections?