MCP fires a warning shot: ‘Won’t accept results from ghost voters’
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has fired a warning shot on the way the elections are being handled saying it should not be put to test as it is no longer a sleeping party.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Lilongwe, MCP vice president Richard Msowoya, spokesperson Jessie Kabwira and Director of Elections Kamata said the party will not allow the announcement of any results until their complaints are addressed.
Msowoya wondered as to why of all the parties that contested, it is only the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that is afraid of the recounting.
“We are equally surprised at the parties who have sought injunctions against the verification of the vote, if all is fair and legal, why should they refuse an audit and process of verification?” wondered Msowoya.
DPP, whose candidate Peter Mutharika is leading in the presidential race according to the controversial unofficial results, on Sunday rushed to the court where newly appointed High Court Judge Lloyd Muhara granted them a stay order that effectively stopped the decision by MEC.
On her turn, Kabwira warned that the current MCP is not going to let the rigging go scot free.
“Don’t take us into temptation, the problem is that they have a perception that MCP is always a sleeping party, that’s wrong. Whatever they think they know, we also know the same things.
“We are going to fight on until justice is realised. Masanje ayambawa. Anthu aona polekela;” she said
Kabwila said: “The Malawi Congress Party is surprised that the very people, (institutions and processes) who argued for MECs independence after the presidential decree of Saturday 24th May, 2014,are now the ones that are getting injunctions, stopping MEC from verifying the voting process.
“Malawians have always respected and depended on the judiciary, it is very painful to see the judiciary being dragged into this partisan and propaganda machinery, bent on protecting and serving the interests of a certain political party.”
Kabwila said MCP is surprised at the parties who have sought injunctions against the verification of the vote, wondering “ if all is fair and legal why should they refuse an audit, process of verification.”
MCP cites the Malawi Constitution in Section 76 Subsection 2C which clearly stipulates that “MEC is to determine any electoral petitions and complaints related to the conduct of any election before making any announcement.”
While Section 76 sub section 4 of the same constitution is very clear that MEC shall exercise its duties independent of interference, all complaints on the conduct of the election shall be reviewed first, until then MEC cannot publish any results, noted the MCP.
The MCP stressed that it will “not allow for the announcement of any result until the complaints it submitted and massive irregularities observed have been addressed and the votes have been verified.”
Said Kabwila: “We remain hopeful that the judiciary will be impartial and do all it can to uphold MEC’s independence, allow MEC to do its job and deliver a verified and credible result of the May 20 elections.
“We call on MEC to make sure that it is implementing the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and ensure that no party is celebrating unofficial results.”
MCP Youth Director Robin Lowe said the party is trying hard to contain the highly charged youths.
“MCP ready to participate in fresh polls even tomorrow”, MCP vice President, Richard Msowoya, declared.
Meanwhile, MEC and political parties agreed to vary the court orders to allow a recount in areas where glaring irregularities were reported.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :