No Invitations for Fresh Poll International Observers

MEC: they will use 2019 invitation MEC: they will use 2019 invitation pic Social Media

It is highly likely that the fresh presidential election coming in Malawi will be conducted in the absence of international observers. Even the Malawi Electoral Commission-MEC-is yet to send out invitations as has been the tradition.

While there have been no indicators from the Sadc and the African Union AU a week after Zodiak Online made an inquiry, the EU outright says shall not be sending observers to the process.

“For the upcoming elections, the European Union will not be sending an election observation mission, normally there should be a formal request; and up until this point there hasn’t been such an invitation,” said Ivo Hoefkens head of the EU delegation to Malawi.

But MEC spokesperson, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, assumes observers will use the 2019 invitations.

“The invitations that were sent to them for the 2019 tripartite elections are still effective for this election,” he said.

However, Executive Director for Center for Multiparty Democracy CMD Kizito Tenthani feels the commission should have sent out fresh invitations to the international community on the poll.

“MEC should have made a fresh call. International observers add value to the credibility of elections, give an alternative view and make comparisons to international standards by weighing whether the elections are credible, free and fair,” Tenthani observed.

However, Tenthani is optimistic the country has the capacity to hold credible elections with the presence of local monitors and observers.

Uncertainty is hovering over the exact date of the country’s fresh presidential election.

Parliament will be meeting beginning June 5. On the same day, the term of office for all MEC commissioners shall have expired. MEC chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah stepped down a week ago.

Read 1536 times
Login to post comments

NEWS IN BRIEF

Last Witness Testifies in Matemba’s Case

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has finished parading witnesses in the…
Read more...

Owaganizira Kupha Awamanga

Apolisi amanga abambo atatu - a Gift Banda a zaka…
Read more...

Court Adjourns Chisale’s Case

Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe has adjourned to a later…
Read more...

NBS Yawonjezera Makobili a Chikho

Bank ya NBS lero yalengeza kuti yakweza ndalama zomwe imapereka…
Read more...

Passport Fees Reduced; E-system Restored

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services says it has…
Read more...
Go to top
JSN Time 2 is designed by JoomlaShine.com | powered by JSN Sun Framework