Parties tell MEC to consult before shifting Malawi poll date
Political parties participating in the June 23 court-sanctioned presidential election and analysts have tipped Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to consult before shifting the poll date due to logistical problems.
MEC chairperson Dr Chifundo Kachale with Commissioners Linda Kunje and Jean Namathanga.-Photo by Lisa Kadango
MEC chairperson Chifundo Kachale and other commissioners last week met all presidential candidates in the election to warn them of possible logistical challenges ahead.
At a press briefing, Kachale did not rule out postponing the election, although he said this was not a priority.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Maurice Munthali said there was need for massive sensitization to people on the change of the date.
“People have 23 June as the date for the election so if we are to change, we really need to sensitize them,” he said.
Mbakuwaku president Peter Kuwani said all what the presidential candidates want is a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
“Whether the election is postponed or not, it does not matter much but we want an election whose results would be accepted by us all,” he said.
Political commentator Humphrey Mvula said there was need to consult all stakeholders widely before the decision to change the poll.
Kachale said the pollster is facing huge logistical challenges, saying MEC is seeking alternative suppliers of electoral materials.
“We are also revising capacity of some of the suppliers,” he said.
He said MEC is yet to receive 72,000 security seal padlocks, 15,000 polling booths and 12,000 rubber bands from abroad.
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This is delaying tactics to buy time for more rigging.
Tonse Alliance don’t accept this tactics.
They have many resources from Reserve Bank and MRA and MACRA or Zameer Karim Mutharikas main financier could chip in.
Mutharika is a coward.
These will be most laughable elections. Malawians you mean you don’t know that all these that are happening are iregularities. Imagine not certain about the polls 7 days to polling? Only stupid Malawians would expect fairness in these elections.
If MEC Chair briefs every point to Mathanga then he is in trouble and majority of Malawians will suffer
than the present situation.
Iwetu uli ndi ufiti wosayamba. Jean Mathamanga is not a simple person the way you think better shut up ur mouth and mind u have nothing to offer to mec than those who were appointed by respective parties sicne have trust in them.
We dont to change the voting date,this is why this guy will keep on insulting Judges. 1 million papers have already been printed by FATTANI and Malawians dont say I did not tell you. We start work when others knocked off-Fattani
Postponement is needed otherwise what happened in 2014 will happen again election materials to come late in centres.
No! to postponement of fresh Elections, required soonest or yesterday, not aware what is currently happening in the public purse.
I can see Idiot is smiling. He says ‘two more nights in paris!’.