In a bid to cool down electoral rigging claims making rounds, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has engaged Directors of Elections and IT experts from different political parties in Lilongwe.
The meeting whose main theme centred around the commission’s preparedness to deliver a credible election, drew representatives from MCP, UTM, UDF, Umodzi Party and Mbakuwaku Movement for Democracy.
Speaking at the meeting in Lilongwe, Commissioner Jean Mathanga cautioned political parties to desist from making Electoral rigging claims as it has the potential to cause voter apathy.
“There is a lot of fake news in the public agenda. The commission has challenges in fighting it alone and especially when political leaders throw their weight behind so many unfounded allegations and rumours,” said Mathanga.
She also reiterated the commission’s stance that it is ready to deliver a free and fair election.
Concurring with her, UTM Director of Elections Paul Chibingu urged his fellow political parties to tone down on the rigging claims and stick to issue based campaign.
“Elections are everyone’s responsibility no matter our political differences so let us be positive in our campaigning by sticking to issues affecting Malawians about how we intend to solve the many problems facing them other than spreading these fear mongering rumours about the upcoming elections being rigged,” said Chibingu.
Meanwhile, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, Richard Cox has since hailed the political parties for coming together with their experts as it will help them understand how the election results will be transmitted and ease the rigging rumours.
Please invite DPP as well.