The Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN) has expressed ‘serious’ concerns over delay to appoint new commissioners for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
In a statement signed by MESN board chairperson Stevie Duwa, the organisation is worried that the development is likely to affect the 2019 election preparations.
“As it is well known, the term of the old Commissioners expired on 18 May, 2016. It is also the case that the President assured the nation during his meeting with the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) on 21 April, 2016 that come 18 May, 2016, the Malawi Electoral Commission would have new Commissioners and there would be no vacancy,” reads part of the statement made available to Malawi24.
MESN further called on the Malawi leader Peter Mutharika to exercise the powers conferred upon him by the Electoral Commission Act section 4(1) to appoint new Commissioners as a matter of urgency.
The appointment of MEC commissioners was hit by blame game with government pointing fingers at Malawi opposition parties for delaying names to be appointed while Malawi Congress Party (MCP) blamed government for not setting deadlines for submission of the names.
However, Mutharika’s press secretary Mgeme Kalirani confirmed that all parties had submitted the names.
Awasankhenso olira aja,m’mesa akanayendera uja mwambi amati “Nzako akakuti konzu nawenso umati konzu” koma apa pali uja amati “Chisoni chidapha nkhwali” Zao asatiuze ife padzana paja ife madandaulo athu samamveka .
Tili mmavuto basi, tikuvutika ndife ovota tizakumana bola moyo
chokani apa munandibera ndalama simunandipse
Akusaka katswiri wina wozabalalitsanso kachiwiri network pa mavot a 2019. Kuwinira mphavu osati zofuna ntima wa amalawi.
Or atapanda kusankha siajaso amasokoneza ma vote mwadala mkumalilaso aaa