Mbendera proposes electoral tribunal in Malawi
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Maxon Mbendera has called for establishment of an electoral tribunal on dispute resolution among electoral stakeholders in the country , saying the absence of such tribunals puts the Commission, political parties and its members in an awkward position.
“Elections are a struggle and race to get power and disputes are bound to occur,” said Mbendera in Blantyre on Monday at Hotel Victoria.
He was speaking when he opened a five day training on Electoral Dispute Resolution based on the Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) curriculum for MEC commissioners and staff and political party secretary generals.
Mbendera sais in other countries like Kenya, they have a tribunal on dispute resolution that is mandated to look into disputes among electoral stakeholders .
“In Malawi we do not have such a such a tribunal and when disputes arose between political parties and the Commission, the Commission arbitrates as it is mandated so by the law. When there are disputes between political parties, often times they seek solace in the courts and the media.
“When there are disputes between political parties and members, we rely on the internal party mechanism to sort them out, if not then the courts,” said Mbendera.
He therefore thanked the African Union Commission for financially supporting the workshop which he said will help MEC build its capacity on crosscutting issues in the electoral process.
“This training is very important as it will contribute to the preparedness for the 2019 elections. I am also delighted at the unique combination of international capacities that MEC is proud to provide to its Commissioners, management and stakeholders,” Mbendera said.
The Head, African Union Southern Region Office African Union Commission Dr. Salif Sada Sall said the trainings were a clear indication of African Union’s continued engagement in Malawi, particularly at the technical level to ensure that MEC continuously improves its capacity to manage elections.
“As you know, the African Union, together with other international organisations, observed the elections here in Malawi in 2014 and at the end of the mission made a number of recommendations aimed at enhancing the electoral process. It is important that most of those recommendations be implemented before the next elections,” Sall said.
The theme of the training is “Election Dispute Resolution.”
The training also seeks to improve team building and strong partnership between the MEC and political parties in Malawi towards building a peaceful and stable democratic society.
BRIDGE is a joint project of International IDEA, IFES, the Australian Electoral Commission, the UN Electoral Assistance Division and UNDP.
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cashgate was better than Mbendera
Mbendela you are a shame to this nation. Just keep your mouth shut.
Mbendela u av carried flag of MEC.don’t b shaken baba Zidya pyako dinyelo anangowa amapiziwayaui.
Ihate ths devil idnt wnt evn to hear his name
Tribunal are not a solution to electoralproblems in Malawi. The solution to electoral prolems in Malawi is disolution of MEC. The proposal of a tribunal is a revelation that 2019 will be very sophiscated in terms of rigging.
If you think DPP rigged elections while in opposition, what message are you giving us for the 2019 elections? Mudzaiona game inu a opposition? DPP woyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Mbendera facilitated vote rigging and now the same Mbendera talks of a Tribunal!!! WHy can’t you step aside as you are the main problem at MEC!!!
The fact that Mbendera still holds the position of MEC Chairperson speaks volumes about the tolerance levels of Malawians. Otherwise, if there was a prize to be awarded for being the Most Hated Personality in Malawi, Mbendera would be the “Undisputed Champion”.
Mr Mbendera seem to shaken this guy got stories,i think he need prayers and some fasting for him to review what he got for the nation.See my name.
Mr. Mbendera, please pave way for better Managers by resigning.
You are total disgrace and unfit for that job.
You have failed this country big time.
All comments against mbendera except one, it shows that elections were really rigged, shame on u guys , u can rig elections but u cant rig wisdom to rule, thank u
Mukunena zosaveka man chazeru mkutula pansi udindo maka iweyo mbendera udziwe kuti amalawi sakufuna ngakhale panga’ono munthu omangositha mastatement nthawi yamasankho iwe loo
Your suggestion sounds very substantial sir. You look as if you love this country which its people live in abject povety. However, when it comes to materialisation of some developments eg election results as it was manifested in the 2014 you used two small brains(tumachende) for jungement which irritated many malawians instead of using your big brain. There is something lacking in your Frontal Tube. Please change or You better resign sir.
Mbendera , you betrayed the entire nation by using your mouth and greed to declare some body who didnot even qualify to be as such. In this respect, considering that you cannot convince any living soul at this moment ,you beter resign so that capable pple may advocate for the tribunal you are talking about, panyapako mbendera iwe. Mxiiiii
Are you feeling guilty? Why is Malawi in this mess? God cannot be mocked?
Don’t blind Malawians Maxon Mbendera , once Malawians go for elections you hardly use any outside law like African Union or any other law but you use your own Malawi rigging law whereby the timing of announcing your rigging results is at midnight when all Malawians are sleeping .
You are the most corrupt idiots you people , money is what you need during elections , in Malawi elections are never free and fair .
You dunderheads , you talk too much.
Mbendera you lost the trust and credibility, the more you are in the the news the more you remind us the injustice you dus to poor mother malawi last year. You might b talking sense but the source of that info is pain and disgrace before the tribunal is even set we need to have ethical and moral leaders in the
electral commision, not leaders who are the source of confusion or fraud. Here is news for u, u will make the nation happy by resigning
Adziwa liti zimenezi? Even with a tribunal evidence a dausi amaotcha.
Mbendera is one judge whose reputation is questionable . Did he not swear APM in a haste in order to avoid evidence to the fact that PAM anabela chisankho?
How can people trust such a cowboy judge?? Kodi mumayesa a Malawi ndi mbuli eti??
Uwu nde timati uchitsilu uwu.
It sound a welcoming development since its high time political parties have been crying foul after loosing election and zipani zikhoza kumazathandidwa bwino.Let’s hope our tribunal will not be politically influenced
Kodi uyu tatopa naye mxi