Chisankho Watch, a citizen-led and non-partisan election observation initiative, has commended Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for administering an election that was peaceful and largely transparent.
Chisankho Watch board chairperson Bishop Gilford Matonga, speaking in Lilongwe yesterday during the release of an independent assessment of credibility and accuracy of the September 16 General Election outcome based on the initiative’s observation findings, said MEC demonstrated preparedness.
He cited opening of most polling stations on time, availability of essential materials and a high level professionalism among officials.
Said Matonga: “The official presidential results as declared by the MEC [on Wednesday] are in line with the projected results by the Process and Results Verification for Transparency exercise conducted by Chisankho Watch.
“The official results align in all respects, from voter turnout, through void votes, all the way to the order and quantum of votes obtained by each candidate.”
He said Chisankho Watch deployed 800 observers nationwide and 134 roving observers who provided the institution information on incidents that might have occurred outside of the polling station.
The consortium has also commended President Lazarus Chakwera for conceding defeat, saying the gesture was a right step to maintaining peace in the country.
Meanwhile, National Initiative for Civic Education Trust executive director Grey Kalindekafe said the voter turnout was encouraging this time around, with figures indicating that 76 percent of the registered voters turned out to vote.
He said the null and void votes is a matter that the organisation will work on in the next polls.
“In future we will advocate for mock elections where people will be able to see how they will mark ballots,” said Kalindekafe.
Centre for Multiparty Democracy executive director Bonface Chibwana also described this year’s elections as free and fair, adding parties deployed monitors that were on the ground.
He said for the first time, 95 percent of party monitors were available in polling centres.
Chisankho Watch is a consortium of four organisations, namely the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, the Public Affairs Committee, the Gender Justice Unit and the Meeting Hub.
It was formed to offer checks and balances for credible, inclusive, and transparent elections on top of holding advocacy engagements with key electoral stakeholders.
