MEC pledges transparency, accountability

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has said it has a duty to serve and inform the nation, as such, it has nothing to hide from Malawians.

MEC chairperson Maxson Mbendera made the remarks on Wednesday evening during the official presentation and commission’s celebration of the Golden Key Award 2014.

The award was presented by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter last week after the electoral body emerged the most open and transparent public institution in the country.

Misa Malawi conducted a study on the most open and secretive public institutions which saw Blantyre City Council (BCC) performing poorly and was awarded the Padlock Award.

Said Mbendera: “To most people, the commission is a punching bag. It is, therefore, pleasing and humbling to learn that there is a sector in our society that takes cognizance of the efforts we do.

“We have nothing to hide and we will continue to be transparent at the same time being accountable to the people of Malawi.”

In his remarks, Misa Malawi chairperson Anthony Kasunda said his institution undertakes the annual study to determine the most secretive and the most transparent public institutions as part of celebrations to mark the Right to Know Day which falls on September 28.

Kasunda said the Padlock Award is awarded not to demean institutions, but encourage them to be more open when it comes to giving information to the public. n