MEC wants election integrity

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)chairperson Maxon Mbendera has urged all stakeholders to ensure the integrity of next year’s elections is not compromised, saying the media should not be used to promote violence but equitable dissemination of information to the electorate.

Mbendera, who is a Supreme Court Judge and a Senior Counsel, said this on Monday during a media and elections capacity building workshop in Lilongwe.

He said MEC is interested in ensuring that all people, including women and the disabled, have access to the electoral process.

“The Electoral Commission cannot achieve its goals if integrity of national elections is compromised. If integrity of elections is compromised, the world and Malawi may not be a better place to live in. We hope we should be able to have elections which give hope,” said Mbendera.

He said all stakeholders in the electoral process, including the media, have a responsibility to motivate and excite the masses to participate in the current election process, as the primary purpose of the voter registration cards is to enable citizens vote and not access subsidised fertiliser or banking services.

Ambassador Mustaq Moorad, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance regional director for Africa, said capacity building of the media and other electoral stakeholders is part of efforts to ensure integrity in elections is achieved.

“It is important to protect integrity of elections given the persistent challenges of fraud and violence in elections. Mere holding of elections doesn’t mean benefits are ensured. Only when elections are credible can they legitimise governments,” said Moorad.