AU optimistic of free, fair Malawi polls
The African Union (AU) has said it will do everything in its powers to ensure that peace and stability prevails during and after the May 20 Tripartite Elections.
AU regional delegate to Southern Africa Ambassador Dr Salif Sada Sall made the remarks at a press conference the commission held in Lilongwe on Monday to unveil members of its Long Term Observation (LTO) team ahead of the polls.
The 10-member team, which has been dominated by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries, is said to have preceded yet another mission codenamed Short-Term Observers (STOs) which is expected just days before the elections.
According to Dr Sall, the mission’s arrival follows the invitation from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Among others, the mission is expected to meet on a regular basis various electoral stakeholders, including representatives of all political parties to assess electoral preparations.
“We hope this will help us have a clear picture on the pre-electoral environment throughout the country in advance of the May 20 polls.”
Political officer at the commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Idriss Kamara, who is also interim coordinator of the team, expressed confidence in the country to hold peaceful polls.
“Much as we may not leave anything to chance, we are very hopeful that peace and stability will prevail in the country during this election period. Malawi is one of the few countries to have done the [African] Union some pride in the way its elections have been conducted since the inception of multiparty politics. We don’t expect this to stop now,” Kamara said.
