MEC has let Malawi down -Congoma

Council for the NGOs in Malawi (Congoma) has bemoaned the impact of electoral impasse on the country’s economy and has blamed Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for letting the citizenry down.

Congoma lashed out at MEC following legal battles that has surfaced due to controversies surrounding delayed release of Tripartite Elections results.

Political parties especially DPP, MCP and UDF have rocked in heated disagreement on whether the commission should announce the results or hold on until it conduct a vote recount in light of numerous irregularities the electoral process registered.

Mhone (middle) addressing the press
Mhone (middle) addressing the press

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday at Ryalls Hotel inn Blantyre, Congoma Chairperson, Voice Mhone said aside being let down by MEC there was a need for law to be allowed to take its full course.

“Congoma governing council met and deliberated on these issues on May 29th, 2014. We noted that the electoral process has had a huge cost to Malawi in terms of image, loss of business, maturity of our democracy,” said Mhone.

“We are worried that if the National Assembly is further delayed, approval of the national budget will also be delayed.”

Mhone demanded a complete overhaul of MEC and a review of some of the electoral laws and the Constitution to avoid a recurrent of political impasse as well as legal battle affecting the electoral process.

“These are failed elections. MEC has let Malawians down, something has to be done. The commission has been having problems right from the registration to the voters roll verification. We expect a big shake up to roll some heads. The result management gives a lot of room for interference,” he added.

Mhone was franked by Emmie Chanika, Blessing Botha, Anthony Chirembwe, Patrick Mwale and Mackben Mkandawire.

Mkandawire said there was a Constitutional crisis but urged political parties to let the rule of law take its course.

He however noted that the country laws were not straight hence the need to be reviewed.

“The law should take its course; either recounting votes or announcing the results, we expect the law to be respected otherwise we are in a Constitutional crisis. It’s unfortunate that some NGOs are supporting political parties. As NGOs we need to be nonpartisan,” said Mkandawire.

Congoma has since urged Malawians to maintain peace, law and order as the county waits for the electoral process to be finalized.

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