AU monitoring situation in Malawi

The African Union (AU) says it is closely following post-May 20 Tripartite Elections developments in Malawi and has since appealed to leaders to exercise utmost restraint to allow the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) finalise its work.

In a statement issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and made available to The Nation yesterday, AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma notes that there has been growing anxiety in the country following operational challenges in the management of the elections.

While congratulating Malawians for peace and tranquility that has prevailed despite the challenges, Dlamini-Zuma, who was in the country with the AU Election Observer Mission led by former Namibian President Sam Nujoma during the elections, said MEC had received 139 complaints and released only 31 percent of the results so far.

She said MEC has so far taken action to quarantine results from the 19 disputed polling centres besides opening investigations.

Reads the statement in part: “The chairperson takes this opportunity to call on all Malawian leaders, political parties, civil society organisations and all other key stakeholders to exercise utmost restraint and allow the MEC to discharge its mandate in completing the electoral process taking due cognizance of the independence of the MEC and the integrity of the poll.

“The MEC must be allowed to take the process to its logical conclusion bearing in mind that Malawi and Malawians deserve to preserve their peace and strengthen their democracy, and uphold constitutionalism and rule of law.”