Whether one likes it or not, #Tivotanso: But let’s tighten loose ends for credible Malawi vote
At this point, it’s foolhardy to, anxiously, be worried with the question of #Tivotanso [ fresh presidential elections] or not. The answer to that question, as of today, is fair and squared: #Tivotanso. 
Opposition driven parliament, on Tuesday, set June 23 as polling day; though government side isn’t happy about it.
However, the issue, here, is not about government being happy or not; the Executive does not have power to stop the legitimate will of the people expressed through the laws of the Republic.
In fact, it is interesting that Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has swiftly moved to gazette June 23 as the polling day, an indication of complying with Parliament’s decision.
The issue, here, is what MEC is competently raising regarding the need to hold a ‘genuine and credible election in view of logistical challenges that the Commission anticipates in implementing steps towards the holding of the polls.’
Truth be told, there are two critical things that, before we go to the polls, we need to be extremely clear about if the promise of genuine and credible elections can come to the fruition.
Firstly, we need to be clear on the level of preparedness by MEC and, secondly, we need to be clear if we have the relevant legislative instruments in place to back the legality of this election.
Here is why we should be worried, not with #Tivotanso or not, but the entire electoral process.
If MEC isn’t well prepared, we run the risk of yet another electoral process full of irregularities. We can’t afford another year of protests and court battles—we have had two years lost already to this. We need to move and it is encouraging to hear MEC saying that it is engaging all presidential candidates on this to find a shared solution.
Further, if we don’t have relevant legislative framework to back up the pending electoral process, we, again, run a risk of holding an election that its legality will be challenged.
As earlier said, we have today to make things right, not tomorrow after elections result are out.
No matter what, Parliament needs to put in place legislative instruments in place so that, after the result, we don’t go back to the court battles and street protest.
In conclusion, it is our honest submission to the Malawian public that, whether one likes it or not, as the court sanctioned: #Tivotanso.
However, before sunset, we need to ensure be certain that we are holding an election that is credible and legitimate.
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Absolutely correct
Anything is better than letting Mr. Peter Mutharika hide the dead body of his brother Mr bingu Mutharika and taking the corpse to Johannesburg. Anything. Other than this….😥
Dpp udf alliance boma.
Malawi is a country with too many inaccessible remote areas. How do u tighten loop holes in 12 days? Kuvota tivota , that’s for sure. But these Elections will most likely be chaotic with too many irregularities than Jane Ansah’s. Mark my words! We now have a great MEC team, I believe they could have performed wonders if they had enough time on their hands. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
MCP is not upholding the spirit of constitutionalism. Phuma limeneli tichenjere nalo. Kutsogoloku a MC P azizati akafuna chinthu samadzayang’ana kuti kodi malamulo akuti chani. Zikukoma lero koma if we ignore the Constitution, tidzaliraa. Ignoring the constitutional order is ignoring democracy and embrrasing dictatorship.
Let’s have the 50+1 law, let’s have the rerun provision, let’s wave the tripartite elections law, let’s set the election date, let’s vote. No shortcuts.
Don’t come here to twist the truth. The truth is that in March 2020 Mutharika exercising powers invested in him by the constitution refused to sing electoral bills. A few years ago a 50+1 bill which was brought by the government was defeated by the government. Now what do you want to tell us. He thought he was clever
He is talking about constitutional order. We are creating a dictatorship with this MCP of yours. Be careful you will find yourself replacing one terrible govt with another worst govt. Let’s not cut corners. We know that everyone wants to win. But let’s follow the rules of the game. Hitler in Germany come into power through a democratic process. He bullied everyone along the way to get what he wanted. Once he was in power everything changed. The rest as they say is history.
Solving the logistics issue is simple. In fact, we have had this problem in many elections. They usually hire government vehicles to deal with it. So no big deal. It can be done again
Shallow minded you are. Transport is not the main challenge.
What the writer is talking is the logistics of transportation, no, please read between lines and then you will know what the write is trying to communicate. It has nothing to do with Logistics think.
Namulondola ndiwe openga. The writer has said they use government vehicles meaning that according to him, logistics means transport. Kodi mwapenga ndi u opposition eti? Mitu siikugwira Kikiki.
Indeed transportation will be one of the most problem if we may think of islands and those that have not good roads
I agree with the Editorial. The MEC Chair hardly two days in power is crying wolf…The elections are not going to be credible becsuse of the irregularities which are being raised by the new MEC Chairman.. Whats interesting is that the opposition is behaving like they have already bagged the elections .. They might loose the New Elections or They have forged already… They loose then what.???. Go back to the streets with the help of HRDC.There were cying for credible elections but even a blindman can forsee problems ahead.. Better late than never.. With their numbers they could have bullodozed the proposed electoral reforms and get their 50 plus 1..and that way make the elections look credible.. The oppostion ambushed the ruling party in a master stroke on Tuesday and quickly wrote to the MEC Commisioner the next minute asking them to gazzette the date.. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to see that the letter to MEC was written way before the ambush…The opposition might fast track the Election to its own demise…Do the correct thing and win fairly..
THE END WILL JUSTIFY THE MEANS.
It was way back in February when the court said Tivotense, bills were sent to APM he sat on them for almost three weeks and when people were asking why he was not assenting to the bills, he decided to to give his approval. The government has not been honest therefore no one should blame the opposition.
Agree 100%
Totally agree. We cant hold the election if the constitution is not changed accordingly.
well said, bravo
Suspicious article – what are those legislative frameworks? Come clearly – update the article as I can’t hear you!!!
Tivotanso indeed,but not MCP,a devlish party whch terrorised Malawians for 31 years,Who ever claims MPC is a changed party that’s a blatant lie.MCP is full of violent people and the alliance with UTC becomes worst !!!Malawians though they can forget easily,but at this moment the pains of one part dictatorial are still fresh.Malawians will never make a silly mistake to usher MCP back into power.Namachende Chakwera and mwana wahule Saulos Chilima ndi hule biti mchila Jowis namachinditsa banda (wanyini zokwefuka ndichimbolo chachitonga totoooo.
No credible elections coming.
DPP yagwa nayo basi, ndipo idzagwenso come 23rd June
Don’t be joyous before crossing the storms, wait until the tides are down
Who told you government isn’t happy about it?you are the same people. Who said Jane Ansah shouldn’t set the date, when she already told you it’s June 23. Then You said parliament should set it. Then you changed and said Mec should set it. By then it was too late. Now government says 23 June but it should be guarded by the law in constitution and you are saying No kuti mawa mudzidzalinso. To me you are just being imbeciles and don’t know what you are doing. Dpp and udf are not afraid of the vote so far it’s you who are trailing and need to catch up. They are already wining. Muzitolere
Koma wawa mudzalira, kukulankhula za nzeru koma why would one vote for DPP, tell me two things that are in the manifesto for a common Malawian. What will you do with Fertilizer issue? Employment?. No one will vote for DPP+UDF. You are selling Dog’s SHIT in your manfesto. Please tell me 2 things
Wokufa sadziwika
How can we tighten the loose ends within two weeks
ZOVOTANSO PALIBE
I was very surprised to hear Kamchezera and Madise advising opposition that we vote first and put legal requirements later. Secondly, I am also surprised that Judge Kachali says he will engage contesting candidates for a free an fair electoral process. Mind you, striking a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ without being backed by the law is a repeat of the creation of constituency tally centre saga.
We prepared for an election for 4 years and then we failed to do the right thing. Then, this one which is less than 12 days can we be able to do the right thing now. I am very doubtful, even the MEC Chair himself has said get prepared for massive irregularities. Za pa 21 May 2019 zinali kungoyamba. Izizi ndiye zeni zeni. Be prepared for another court battle whether it will be the opposition or the ruling party. We have dug ourselves into this pit which will not be easy to walk away from. In fact, get prepared for the worst because soon some people’s patience is gone run out.