Malawi to challenge integrity of CSOs

Government has said Malawians should not be surprised if it moves in to challenge the ability of some civil society organisations (CSOs) to conduct civic and voter education.

Government, through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, has questioned the ability of some CSOs to conduct free and fair electoral civic education following their stand to move Parliament for an interim government.

Minister of Information and Civic Education Brown Mpinganjira said in an interview on Monday that the way a communiqué by Civil Society Grand Coalition has been presented, it clearly shows the CSOs are not interested in elections.

Mpinganjira said CSOs such as Malawi Electoral Support Network (Mesn) and CCAP Synod of Livingstonia’s Church and Society have lost credibility and cannot be trusted.

“It means they want to suspend elections and can decide when they want them held. Where did they get this mandate? Have they consulted the society they serve?” said Mpinganjira.

But Mesn said it was only the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) that can stop any accredited CSO to conduct the civic and voter education after being convinced that the CSO has violated the code of conduct it signed with it.

“Furthermore, the minister should know that Mesn like any organisation is concerned when issues of transparency and accountability are not adhered to by duty-bearers including government,” Mesn executive director Steve Duwa said.

In the communiqué issued after their meeting on November 4 2013, the CSO leaders said they would collect signatures to give a vote of no confidence against the government and move Parliament to have an interim government until such a time when elections are be held.