UN Secretary General Commends Malawians

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has commended the people of Malawi for turning out in large numbers for the country’s first tripartite elections on 20 May.
He noted the preliminary observer statements indicated that the polling process was generally consistent with regional and international standards, notwithstanding the technical problems encountered in the process.
He called on all candidates, political parties, and state institutions to remain calm and to support fully the Malawi Electoral Commission in completing its work.
“I urge all political leaders to call on their supporters to refrain from any violence or disruption of the electoral process, whose successful completion is essential for the consolidation of democracy in the country,” he said
Nonetheless the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced that it will manually recount the votes following discrepancies in the voting process. Mec said there will be opening up of ballot boxes and physical audit, to verify and authenticate the tallying process.
“Mec and all stakeholders including political parties and CSO’s will oversee the process to ensure its transparency and efficiency. We will ensure good quality of monitors among other measures,” said Maxon Mbendera Chairperson of Mec
This development also came after a high court injunction stopping President Joyce Banda from nullifying the elections due to irregularities.
Two sets of lawyers representing the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika challenged her decision in court citing that the constitution does not give the president mandate to nullify the elections.
Joyce Banda had quoted section 88(2) of the constitution which stipulates that the President shall provide executive leadership in the interest of national unity in accordance with this Constitution and the laws of the Republic.
She said in accordance to this section it was her duty to protect the interest of the Malawian people.
“I will do not wish to stand again, I am just giving the people of Malawi the opportunity to fairly elect a president their choice,” she said before the high court granted her an order restraining her from nullifying the elections.
In the meantime Mec has proceeded with the vote counting process and re-counting will be done after completion of this process. Mec is expected to release its official results in a month’s time.
(BNLTimes)