Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has asked civil society organisations (CSOs) to disseminate accurate information on elections to motivate registered voters to cast their votes in the September 16 General Election.
MEC commissioner Limbikani Kamlongera, speaking during a meeting with Southern Region-based CSOs in Blantyre yesterday, said the information voters get is critical to ensuring that the road to the elections is free of acts of violence and hate speech.
“A peaceful environment will encourage each and every registered voter to come out in large numbers and cast their ballot and have a chance to be heard,” she said.
Kamlongera said the commission will continue to conduct electoral activities in accordance with the country’s laws to strengthen the credibility of the elections.
During the meeting, MEC informed the CSOs about the remaining activities ahead of polling day and the procedures for polling, vote counting as well as transmission of results.
On their part, CSOs raised concerns relating to the electoral process, including the use of election management devices (EMDs).
MEC is set to use the devices for electronic transmission of results in the elections and results will also be transmitted manually as part of a hybrid process.
One of the CSO leaders, Aloisious Nthenda said fears of violence ahead of polling day have come out in their interaction with voters.
The Centre for Democracy and Elections team leaders pledged CSOs’ commitment to promoting peace and providing accurate information to voters.
This was the electoral commission’s third engagement with CSOs since last week following similar events in Mzuzu and Lilongwe.
Malawians will head to the polls on September 16 this year to vote for the President, 229 MPs and 509 ward councillors.
MEC data shows that 7.2 million people registered to cast their ballot in the general election while 19 presidential aspirants have so far collected nomination papers.
