‘Mec committed to leave no room for suspicion’

On Tuesday next week, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will hold Local Government By-elections in five wards. Our Reporter ALBERT SHARRA caught up with MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa to find out more on the commission’s preparedness and other issues.

: How far has the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) gone in preparing for the August 25 by-elections?

: The commission has made significant strides in the preparation for the by-elections. Apart from successfully conducting registration and update of the voters’ roll, voter verification and nomination processes, the commission has also finished printing the voters’ roll and ballot papers for the by-elections. The by-elections could have been delayed in Chibanja Ward in Mzuzu because a People’s Party (PP) candidate whose nomination was rejected for obtaining registration fraudulently had appealed against the commission to reject his candidature.

However, the court gave the issue a speedy trial, dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the commission. Recruitment of staff to work for the by-elections is being finalised with their training sessions scheduled to take place this coming Friday and Saturday in the polling stations they will be deployed.

: Results of the May 20 Tripartite Elections were disputed and up to now some quarters still discredit the elections results. What have you done or put in place to ensure the results of the by-elections are credible and accepted without resistance?

: The commission has committed itself to be transparent and leave no room for suspicion on any electoral process. For the coming by-elections, the commission has made voting and tallying centres accessible by all party and candidate monitors. On July 24 this year, the commission also went an extra mile by inviting all contesting political parties and concerned civil society organisations to a demonstration of the result management system at its head office in Blantyre. On this day, MEC demonstrated the process of result collation and capturing from the polling station and transmission to the tally centre. This will help to avoid misconceptions and hearsay that shrouds result transmission and tallying. MEC also conducted by-elections on October 7 2014 in two constituencies and five wards. The elections were free, fair and credible. No dispute was recorded of the results. As we go onto these by-elections, MEC is doing everything possible to maintain this trend.

: MEC always relies on outsourced labour that includes hiring of teachers, police and others to support the election process. However, in almost all electoral, these people complain about delay of their payments. How are you handling this?

: Payment of poll workers delayed in the 2014 Tripartite Elections because MEC had implemented a new system of direct electronic bank transfers because of donor conditions. For the by-elections we are having cash payment to all staff that have been and will be engaged. So far, all individuals that were engaged for the registration exercise were paid in time. We are planning the same for the polling exercise.

: Last year’s elections were characterised by several irregularities that included delay in delivery of voting materials, wrong materials at some polling centres and misplacement of names and pictures in the voters’ roll. How do you assure the nation this will not happen again?

: The electorate and all stakeholders should not have fears of logistical hiccups for the by-elections. The challenges faced during the May 20 Tripartite Elections were because MEC got fewer vehicles than required. Out of 1 900 vehicles MEC got only 1 300 vehicles. You will believe me, it would have been a miracle to perform with that shortage of vehicles without serious hiccups. For these by-elections, various government departments have been very supportive to MEC. So far, there has been no transport shortage experienced.

Misplacement of names and pictures has to do with the system used for voter registration. That is why MEC opened registration centres for verification their names. This is the period for correcting such mistakes. As we go to polls for the by-elections, the commission has put in place measures to ensure that no eligible registrant is disenfranchised.

: Campaign period ends this Sunday. How do you describe the campaign regarding some of the irregularities registered that include some of your staff indulging in partisan issues?

: The campaign period has been peaceful. Candidates and political parties observed the provisions of the code of conduct they signed to abide to. There was no complaint registered about traditional leaders who created no go zones for candidates or who engaged in partisan activities. MEC has also not received any complaints regarding block-booking of venues which shows that stakeholders were sticking to the laid down procedures in booking venues for rallies. However, the commission received and is investigating an issue that one of the temporary staff deployed to help in civic and voter education in Khwawa Ward was involved in partisan issues. The person was suspended immediately the complaint was lodged pending investigations.

: Also worrying is turnout during the elections. Have you done enough to influence voters to go and cast their ballots?

: MEC has done its best within its capabilities and resources to reach out to the public with voter education messages about the by-elections. As we draw closer to the polling day we will continue to intensify our efforts. Voting is not mandatory in Malawi so the commission’s efforts focus on creating awareness on the importance of voting and appealing to the voters to exercise their right. However, we also recognise that it is colossal job not to be left to MEC alone. Political parties and candidates need the votes so they have the obligation to encourage their supporters and anyone who turns out for their campaign meetings to vote. The same goes for civil society organisations, traditional leaders and all other leaders.