Reeling from accusations that it favours governing parties, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is committed to conducting the 2014 tripartite elections impartially and independently.
MEC chairperson Maxon Mbendera said this in Blantyre on Friday during the triple launch of the 2013-2017 strategic plan, 2014 tripartite elections and civic and voter education strategy.
Mbendera said the commission would work hard to implement all electoral programmes in an honest, transparent and truthful manner.
The launch was attended by representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, the media, government officials, traditional leaders, donors and diplomats.
Mbendera said MEC will ensure that contestants and other stakeholders comply with electoral and other relevant laws.
“It is our expectation that stakeholders will also comply with the various codes of conduct and electoral laws.
“More importantly, the commission shall carry out its mandate with independence and impartiality. The commission will operate freely in its own best judgement without taking directives from or being controlled by any person or authority.
“The commission shall at all times ensure that all electoral activities are open to public, judicial and governmental scrutiny. We undertake to be responsive to the views and concerns of all stakeholders,” he said.
Mbendera said Malawians should bury their differences and work together to consolidate the country’s democracy.
“As a nation, we have in the past come to the brink so many times. And in that moment just when chaos and civil strife is about to break out the tide recedes.
“In that sense, we can surely say as a nation Ebenezer (thank God). Let us, therefore, take courage and build our nation. Let us together cooperate one with another irrespective of religion, tribe, region or political affiliation,” he said.
Mbendera said in January 2012, the commission, with assistance from the European Union Democratic Governance Pogramme, held two consultative workshops with political parties and civil society organisations on the review of electoral laws.
“The report that was produced as an outcome of the consultative meetings proposed a number of amendments to the electoral laws.
“These were the gaps that were identified during previous elections. Following the passing of the Tripartite Elections Bill in November 2012, the commission organised a meeting on 13 December 2012 which was attended by most of you. This meeting set up a task force to focus and review only those laws which required urgent harmonisation in order to facilitate the smooth conduct of the tripartite elections,” he said.
Mbendera said nomination fees for presidential candidates is K1 million (about $2 500). Male parliamentary candidates will have to part with K200 000 (about $500) while female candidates in parliamentary elections will pay K150 000 (about $375).
For male candidates in local government elections, the fee is K20 000 ($50) while K15 000 ($37.50) applies for female candidates.
According to Mbendera, the lower fees for female candidate s are designed to encourage the 50-50 campaign for women empowerment through the positive discrimination.
