Media bodies back Malawi vote recount drive
Media organisations in Malawi have made a strong appeal to stakeholders in the electoral system to support the effort the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is taking in resolving the standoff rocking the announcement of the May 20 tripartite elections.
Malawi went to polls on May 20 to vote for the president, parliamentarians and councilors but voting was extended to May 22 due to anomalies like shortage of voting materials in some centres.
Representatives of the Media Council of Malawi, (MCM) Association of Malawi Media Owners (AMMO),) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) told reporters in Blantyre that they are strongly behind MEC’s effort because “it is legally mandated to manage the elections process without undue interference”
“We wish to support a process that is clear and that is aimed at avoiding failed elections because of huge consequences that would arise from such a failure. We recognize the challenges that have confronted the Commission,” said Al Osman Acting Publicity Secretary for AMMO.
Osman appealed to all players to give the Commission space to carry out its mandate as required by law.
“If a national re-count of ballots is one way of resolving the issues that have come before the Commission, we urge all stakeholders to act diligently, responsibly and professionally. In the event that this does not provide the solution, then a political solution should be seriously considered.”
He also appealed for calm and patience from all stakeholders including journalists “for the electoral process to be fully respected and be given an opportunity to run its full course.”
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