MEC faces 1 200 vehicledeficit for May 20 elections

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) still needs 1 200 vehicles to ably deliver the first-ever tripartite elections on May 20.

This comes as ballot papers for local, parliamentary and presidential polls arrive in the country tomorrow.

MEC chief executive officer Willy Kalonga confirmed the commission does not have enough vehicles, but assured stakeholders that “voters should not be worried because all efforts are being made to ensure we have the required number of vehicles.”

“Even if it means hiring, we will do that because it is necessary,” he said.

But this development, coming 10 days before polling opens at 6am on May 20, has not gone down well with key stakeholders who fear that “such state of unpreparedness threatens the need for proper management of the elections.”

While United Democratic Front (UDF) questioned why MEC is “waking up now”, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) wondered “if this is not part of the rigging ploy”.

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has since said “there is no time for argument and stakeholders, including cooperating partners, should quickly move in to avert a catastrophe.”

UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo his party “has also noted that MEC is also short of trained staff”.

“As UDF, we have always brought it to the attention of MEC that we think they do not have sufficient capacity to deliver the required service. This is unfortunate because we think if they are incapacitated in this manner, it will compromise the management of elections,” he said.

MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwira said “it is saddening that while MEC knew that elections are coming on May 20 five years on, they could not prepare enough.”

“But whether they like it or not, they must do everything possible to ensure that May 20 is done because we can’t afford even a minute of postponement with the current state of affairs in the country.

“If you look at the number of vehicles government officials, including the President uses, you wonder why MEC should suffer. MEC should ensure things are corrected because transportation is critical to delivering an election,” Kabwira said.

CCJP national secretary Chris Chisoni said “it will be important for all stakeholders to avert the situation.”

“MEC should get help from stakeholders. Even cooperating partners need to come in to ensure that MEC delivers on its core duty,” he said.

But Kalonga parried all fears, assuring that there will be enough vehicles for the elections.

“Currently, the police are rounding up all government and parastatal vehicles and referring them to MEC. MDF has also assured us of their helicopters to reach difficult places,” said Kalonga.

The National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust, the main stakeholders in the May 20 voter education, agreed with CCJP, emphasising that “preparedness for the elections is a duty for all key stakeholders.”

Nice executive director Ollen Mwalubunju said other stakeholders should also play their part.

“While we appreciate that MEC should have prepared in time, we call on other stakeholders to add value to the process,” said Mwalubunju.

Bingu children given 7 days to pay lawyers or face bankruptcy

Paida Mpaso

Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court of Appeal has given children of former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika seven days to pay private lawyers Messrs G. Nankhuni and Partners K3.5 billion or be declared bankrupt.

A court order document dated May 7 2014 addressed to the estate of the late Mutharika says failure to comply with the requisition is tantamount to an act of bankruptcy.

The notice has already been served to Duwa Mutharika Mubaira, Tapiwa Mutharika and the estate.

In mid-March, the Supreme Court of Appeal ordered the late Mutharika’s family to pay K3.5 billion to a law firm that processed letters of administration of his estate.

In the ruling, Judge Richard Chinangwa ordered that the law firm was at liberty to enforce the Commercial Court order that the Mutharika’s daughters pay the legal fees as demanded.

The Supreme Court dismissed the application filed by Tapiwa and Duwa which sought to stop paying K3.5 billion payment, being the five percent of Mutharika’s deceased estates.

Reads the third judgment order paper: “Take notice that within seven [7] days after service of this on you, excluding the day of such service, you must pay to Messrs G. Nankhuni and legal practitioners for the judgment creditor …or their agent duly authorise the sum of K3 573 912 968 claimed by the judgment creditor as being the amount due on a final judgment or order obtained by judgment creditor against you in a court.”

“…dated 4th November 2013, whereon execution has not been stayed or you must secure or compound for the said sum to the judgment debtor satisfaction or to the satisfaction of the court or you must satisfy the court you have a counterclaim, set-of, or cross-demand against the judgment creditor which equals or exceeds the sum claimed by judgment creditor and which you could not set up in the action or other proceedings in which the judgment or order was obtained.”

In November last year, the Supreme Court granted the Mutharikas a stay order that effectively stopped payment of the K3.5 billion legal fees, pending inter-parties hearing. n

Professor Chijere-Chirwa chairs Media Council

Staff Reporter

Professor Wiseman Chijere-Chirwa of Chancellor College is now chairperson of the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) National Governing Council (NGC) following elections of the group that were held in Blantyre yesterday.

He replaces the Reverend Patrick Semphere and his team who have served a maximum of two-year constitutionally provided for terms.

The other media members of the NGC are Mzimba Community Radio, Transworld Radio, Montfort Media, Blantyre Newspapers Limited, Maziko Radio, Galaxy Radio and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

The other seven non-media members will be ex-officio representatives from non-governmental media organisations as per MCM constitution—to represent the general public.