Mutharika challenges Malawi Electoral Commission to be fair, prudent in financial management

 President Peter Mutharika has challenged the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to be prudent with the way it manages its finances in preparation for the 2019 tripartite elections.

President Mutharika urges MEC for fairness
MEC chairperson Jane Ansah and commissioners briefing President Mutharika
MEC Director of ICT Muhabi Chisi: Demonstrating the Biomectric registration process.

Mutharika was speaking on Tuesday at Sanjika Place in Blantyre during the demonstration of the electronic biometric voter registration system using the national identity cards by the commission.

“This is the first time in history to fund our elections without any support from our development partners and I am proud about that. It is my appeal to the commission to use the funding prudently,” Mutharika advised.

“This is a sacred national duty and I have confidence that you will perform to the best of your capabilities,” added Mutharika.

The President, therefore, called on Malawians to take the electoral activities as outlined by MEC in its calendar seriously as they decide whether to take the nation forward or backwards.

“All Malawians should take the elections seriously, by among other things, taking note of the programmes that will be announced from time to time. Above everything else, every eligible Malawian should register,” he said.

Mutharika also encouraged the commission to stick to its principles on fairness, independence and objectivity because failing to do that would plunge the country in a crisis.

“Social is greatly degrading the morality of the country. Religious leaders in particular have   the duty to pray for the nation and implore on its members to guard against any conduct which may not be in line with norms of values of Malawian culture,” he emphasised.

MEC’s Chairperson Justice Dr. Jane Ansah assured the president and Malawians that the commission will be prudent enough in using our allocated resources.

“It is indeed important for us to be prudent with the finances. What happened before was that most of the transactions were being done manually and to account for billions, it was quite very difficult.

“We are now using the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and all our transactions are transparent even at the ministry they know what is happening with our account and we are doing our best to use the money prudently,” Ansah said.

On those people who have not yet registered with the National Registration Bureau (NRB), Ansah said the commission is engaging with the Bureau to be in strategic places during the phases of the registration of voters so that those people who did not register get the chance to do so.

Meanwhile, the MEC chief said that voter registration using the new electronic biometric voter system will commence on June 26 to October 04, 2018.

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Shithole DPP
5 years ago

Peter Munthalika is an interested party and why demonstarte to him only and why not call all stake holders? I smell a rat. This MEC is shithole just like dpp itself. At the same time, MEC wants to use NRB cards which have not been tested and they hay have not told us as regards what happens to those that lost their cards. On this the president is right. When you go to UK they do not ask for identity cards to open a bank account. They ask for a passport and a utility bill as proof of address. Some… Read more »

HIGH COMMISSIONER NOT FOR BABIES
HIGH COMMISSIONER NOT FOR BABIES
5 years ago

Why don’t you also be fair during your DPP Convention and let all those who wish to contest for presidency do so? Mukufuna fairness kwa anzanu pomwe inu mukukanika zomwezo

Achinyamata tisagonembo
Achinyamata tisagonembo
5 years ago

Kodi ma commissioner amenewa bwanji? All of them old old and we think they can be fair to babies?
Imeneyi achinyamata tiyiganizire and plan to work on it regardless of our political affiliations

Kibaki
Kibaki
5 years ago

Bravo APM. You have really spoken very well

brainy
brainy
5 years ago

This is just lip service.If you were serious you could have passed electoral reforms bill.I can for tell that the reforms you shot down will work to your disadvantage since MCP will just need the simple majority. As for Jane Ansah is just another DPP sympathizer.Ansah is for DPP whilst God is for as all.

Malawi Walusa.
Malawi Walusa.
5 years ago
Reply to  brainy

Ansah wokayikisa kwabasi. We need to watch her steps to ensure she doesn’t meddle with our votes again.
We don’t want what happened last general elections where votes we’re burnt and soaked in water.
I tell you we shall NEVER allow that and it won’t happen.

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