MCP suspects foul play on MEC warehouse fire
The opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Dr Jessie Kabwira suspects foul play in the cause of fire that has set ablaze Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Warehouse in Lilongwe where a vote recount was supposed to take place.
Although the Lilongwe City Assembly was called in immediately to put off the fire, there has been extensive damage to the property and material in the warehouse.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, Kabwira said the news of the fire is “very disturbing”and shocking to the party.
“Again, this has happened on the last night before the court was to hear our challenge on the injunction.
“Just last week, people from Lilongwe City South Constituency wanted to march to MEC offices only to be told by the police to wait for seven days, were they waiting for this fire? We want to know what government will do because it;s the DPP that secured the injunction so want to know who has done this and be brought to book,” said Kabwila.
MEC has since said in a statement that the Commission is treating the incident as a normal fire incident.
The Commission said it is working in conjunction with relevant authorities to establish the cause of the fire and the nation will be informed in due course.
The warehouse contained about 1,500 ballot boxes, gas cylinders, gas lamps, generators, furniture and stationery.
The cost of the materials damaged is yet to be established.
