Journalists have been briefed on the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) results management system.
Earlier this week, MEC invited journalists from different media houses, for training in the capital Lilongwe. During the training, journalist were told the new system provides no room for rigging hence it should be considered efficient.
This satisfied journalists since they are mostly suspected to be partakers in vote rigging whenever it happens.
Speaking to Malawi24, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reporter Alexander Theu said he is happy that the media is going to be distanced from irregularities concerning elections since the new system guarantees a free and fair election.
“I am not just satisfied but happy considering that journalism gets painted black whenever an election is rigged. We will be working freely knowing that results will be reaching the tally centre as reported by us following intensive verification,” said Theu
The system will see a greater part of the process being done manually under strict monitoring. After the results are entered manually, the paperwork will be scanned then sent to the tally centre in that form. According to the electoral body, this will make it hard for the figures to be tampered with as there will be no typing.
There have been fears of having the elections rigged following remarks made by President Peter Mutharika and his vice Saulos Chilima, to that effect. The two who are in the race for the presidency have been accusing each other for planning to rig the election.
However, MEC maintains ignorance on the matter saying it has put in place the secure system.
