Political parties and other stakeholders have been cautioned against making premature declarations of victory ahead of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announcement of the results in the September 16 General Election.
Briefing journalists in Lilongwe yesterday, Chisankho Watch chairperson Bishop Gilford Matonga said unofficial results have the potential to shape public perception on the expected poll outcome.
He said it is only MEC that has the legal mandate to announce and declare winners.
Said Matonga: “We are condemning political parties that are declaring themselves winners. Those declarations bring expectations to some sections of the society and when MEC declarations are to the contrary, that’s a recipe for disaster.
“We are asking Malawians to remain peaceful. So the early declarations by parties may work to the contrary of our calls for peace.”
He was speaking on behalf of the consortium of four organisations, namely the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), the Gender Justice Unit and the Meeting-Hub (mHub) when he presented a summary of the entire polling process, counting and critical issues that have arisen during this period.
While commending MEC for facilitating well-administered elections and providing regular updates on the electoral process, Chisankho Watch has asked the electoral body to start releasing partial results as they continue with vote counting.
“MEC is mandated to make pronouncements, but when the electoral body is quiet, it brings despair among Malawians. We urge them to start releasing partial results as that would dispel speculation around the polls. It also gives hope that something is being done,” added Matonga.
Among others, the body noted that only 81 percent of Biometric Voter Verification Devices (BVVD) were working during the voting and voter transmission while 17 percent malfunctioned, leading to some delays or disruption in the smooth electoral process.
Chisankho Watch also noted that 95 percent of polling centres had insufficient light, leading to provision of additional lighting.
At a separate press briefing yesterday, the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust observed that transmission of results has been slow reportedly due to network failures.
Nice Trust executive director Grey Kalindekafe said the situation was causing frustration as voters and candidates await finalisation of the process.
He called on MEC to expedite work on the challenge in the best way possible.
“As vote counting takes shape, we reiterate the need to stay calm and entrust duty-bearers with statutory mandate to manage the final results. All results that are being released are preliminary and unofficial. The electoral body is the only authority to announce winners,” said Kalindekafe.
Nice Trust also commended the moderate to high voter turnout in polling stations nationwide, with the national average standing at 64.14 percent at press time, representing 4.6 million of the 7.2 million registered voters.
Data further show that Lilongwe City recorded the lowest turnout at 44.31 percent while Likoma registered the highest at 79 percent followed by Chiradzulu with 77.03 percent.
From a gender perspective, female voters led participation, accounting for 57.15 percent of the turnout, compared to 42.85 percent for men.
Yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party and Malawi Congress Party declared themselves victorious ahead of the official announcement by MEC.
But MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja told journalists that the commission will not be pressured by any political party or candidate to release results before the due process.
She said the law provides that MEC can declare a presidential winner within eight days, parliamentarians within 14 days, and those for local government within 21 days.
Malawians went to the polls on September 16 to elect a president, members of Parliament and ward councillors.
