EC commissioners’ terms expire

Time is up for members of the Electoral Commission (EC). The term of other commissioners expires on January 18 while the chairperson’s runs out in September.

Opposition political parties and the Malawi Electoral Support Network (Mesn) have since asked the appointing authority, the President, to make consultations with relevant stakeholders on the appointment of new commissioners.

EC acting chief executive officer Lellie Longwe on Thursday confirmed the expiry of the commissioners’ terms.

“We wait for the appointing authority to appoint new commissioners. The appointment is done by the President in consultation with political parties,” said Longwe.

Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati said government will make a decision whether to renew the commissioners’ contracts or get new ones.

The commissioners are Anastasia Msosa, Georgina Chikoko, Brown Chimphamba, Jane Nankwenya, Mary Mangwiza-Manyusa, Ron Nkomba and Dick Mzumara.

Mesn chairperson Aloisious Nthenda called on President Bingu wa Mutharika to speed up the appointments so that the 2014 electoral calendar is not disturbed.

Nthenda also asked Mutharika to consult political parties when choosing the commissioners so that they are accepted by stakeholders.

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said the appointment of new commissioners should be in accordance with the law and that the appointees should be of integrity.

“The new commissioners should be people that cannot compromise their positions. They should be people that will allow the wishes of Malawians to prevail in the 2014 elections,” said MCP spokesperson Nancy Tembo.

She also urged Mutharika to get input from electoral stakeholders such as political parties.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secretary general Wakuda Kamanga said he needed time to consult before commenting on the matter.

UDF spokesperson Ken Msonda did not answer his phone on Thursday.