MEC says it has K3.3bn budget deficit for Malawi 2019 elections
Pollster, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it has a budget deficit of K3.3 billion for the May 21 tripartite elections.
Officials from MEC said this on Wednesday at a Public Affairs Committee organized two-day meeting on the elections which has drawn delegates from the pollster, UNDP and other stakeholders.
But UNDP chief technical advisor Richard Cox said it was too late to start raising the money of such magnitude now.
“It is too late; we have just a few weeks before the election. We cannot raise such an amount,” said Cox.
Chairperson of PAC Felix Chingota accused MEC of concealing the deficit.
“PAC was not sincere when it said everything is okey to hold the election. They never told us that there is a deficit,” said Chingota.
MEC’s deputy director of Electoral Services Wellngton Katentha said only half of the needed vehicles for the election have been secured.
He said there was need to have the whole fleet on time before the election day.
Bishop Mathews Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church told MEC to change rules so that only serious contenders should be given nomination forms.
He said there were many “time wasters” this year during the ceremonies to receive nomination papers from prospective presidential candidates, describing it as nonsense.
Malawi’s 6.8 million registered voters will have seven presidential candidates to choose from when they queue to vote in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections including incumbent President Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Vice-President Saulos Chilima of newly formed UTM Party.
Besides political allies-turned-rivals, Mutharika and Chilima, other candidates in the presidential race are Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party-MCP), John Chisi (Umodzi Party-UP), Peter Kuwani (Mbakuwaku Movement for Development-MMD), Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front-UDF) and Revelend Kaliya (independent).
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Stupid !
Koma ziliko eh. Very Poor Country cannot afford to finance it’s own elections.
And some people are even advocating a so-called “50+1” rule regarding presidential elections. The rationale may be sound, but practicality means that WE CAN’T AFFORD this adventure. Unless we go around, again, begging with bowl in hand from the Azungu.
There are, even as we read this, public health care professional workers who have not been paid for several months.
And, it makes one wonder, rhetorically, what is more important: elections or food for the family?
Ndalama akupatsa DPP kupangila kampeni. Koma mwatitola anamache nde inu.
You are Not Serious…Mumatotani Nthawi Yonseyi ? Ma Doctor chakutichakuti Onsewo mu MEC simumaziwa kuti Ndalama Zichepa…Yanu IJA Yofuna kupanga Sabotage thru Logistics .Osapangaso za 2014 zija kubweresa Materials Mochedwa.PAC should Focus on Processes Otherwise Anthu amenewa kungowasiya Atha kutibweresera Mabvuto Muno…
This is stupid of MEC to talk obout shortfalls now whe all along they had claimed all was in place and alright. Why has MEC been hiding this vital information till now, just three weeks before the elections? This is a deliberate move by MEC and the government to come and cause chaos on the polling day so that the ruling party wins. Shame on Ansah and her group.
That’s total nonsense!! with just days to go, what picture r you trying to give us, postponement, rigging or what?
Is MEC sincere? Isn’t this a contradiction to what APM said during the DPP manifesto launch? Govt already confirmed thru the presidency that they have locally solicited all election resources and do not need foreign electoral support! What is this MEC? Go and check with APM, he has the resources!
Nanga bwanji Goodal ndi nzake uyu Pitala akhala akuyima pachulu kuti chuma chikuyenda bwino chifukwa chake kwa nthawi yoyamba apanga okha fund chisankho?