CCJP spits fire at MEC
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has attacked the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for refusing to reopen registration centres in the first phase, saying this will deny thousands of Malawians the right to vote in next year’s elections.
CCJP said it wonders as to who MEC is accountable to other than voters who are demanding the reopening of the centres as many of them failed to register due to slow and cumbersome registration process at most centres in Chikhwawa District.
“The categorical refusal of MEC to extend registration in the phase one targeted areas while, it makes sense from a logistical perspective, does not make any, in fulfilling wishes of the citizens’ right to participate in the politics and destiny of their country. As the only duty-bearer on such elections issue, MEC seems not to account to Malawian citizens.
“This is because CSOs have raised this concern and political parties have raised the same concern but alas! MEC seems to have a better understanding of it all than anybody else. So, who is MEC accountable to?,” said CCJP national secretary Chris Chisoni in an interview on Sunday.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) wrote MEC chairperson Judge Mackson Mbendera over the same concern but he said reopening registration was out of question.
