We want free, fair and safe elections—Nevin
The first phase of the voter registration exercise ended on Sunday, and the next phase starts tomorrow. EPHRAIM NYONDO talks with British High Commissioner Michael Nevin on the just ended first phase of the registration process and other electoral issues.
Q:
You visited a couple of registration centres in Mwanza, Neno and Blantyre. What has been your impression of the process?
A:
I think the process was well organised, the turn-out was impressive and, yes, we are on track. From all the centres I have visited, I have noted a great sense of enthusiasm among the people to register. Even the officials at the centres really know what to do.
Q:
There were concerns from some quarters that two weeks is not enough for voter registration. What is your view on this?
A:
I think the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is better placed to decide that. They have the whole picture of the process. But the question is: Can they afford it? I feel two weeks is just fine. Even when you look at the enthusiasm among the people, how they are turning up, I think the length is fine.
Q:
Do you think there has been enough civic education regarding the registration process?
A:
At the moment, judging from what I have observed, the situation is fine. After all, this is registration. I am sure most people got the message about where to register and the necessary things to take to the centre. This is commendable.
Q:
You are part of the donor community that has not been forthright in funding civil society organisations (CSOs) for civic education. What has been the problem?
A:
In the first place, let me make it clear that it is not true that the UK has lost trust in the CSOs. We will always work with the CSOs and very soon we will start giving out funding. What we have done is to come up with a structure of funding disbursement to make sure that we achieve efficiency. We will be working with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) which will manage the funding protocols. All the CSOs looking for funding will be dealing with NDI which will be scrutinising the proposals and making recommendations.
Q:
Are you saying most CSOs will be funded when the next phase of the registration starts?
A:
I can rightly say here that there will be more civic education in the next phase. By the way, we will not just centre the civic education only on voter education. We are also interested in civic educating the electorates on politics of issues. At the same time, we are also interested in making sure every corner of the country is covered. That is why we want to map the CSO across the country so that we don’t have a situation where other areas are not being reached.
Q:
Your office issued a statement last week expressing concerns about the use of inflammatory language by some politicians. If the situation persists, what will the UK do?
A:
In the first place, I am happy that the response from all the political parties have been good. Most of them agree that use of inflammatory language is bad. I hope you in the media should monitor the situation. But above all, power lies with the people, the voters. The people are the ones who decide. They are the ones who are able to differentiate between substance and rhetoric.
Q:
The media has reported of fake registration cards being sold. What was your immediate reaction to it?
A:
It was good that the police managed to arrest the people who were involved. And again, MEC has come out clear on the issue. I hope no Malawian will buy such cards.
Q:
We are few months to the elections next year. What kind of elections are you anticipating?
A:
We want to see an election that is free in the sense that people should be given the opportunity to decide what they want. We want to see an election that is fair in the sense that the playing ground should be even. We want to see an election that is safe for both people and those in authority, an election where people have security and the results are credible.
