Livingstonia Synod speaks on electoral governance
The CCAP Synod of Livingstonia has expressed concern over uncertainty of the legal framework of the electoral system, institutional weakness, distrust in political structures and judicial inertia, low voter registration and electoral violence in the country.
Despite these concerns, the Synod has commended government, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and other key stakeholders for the timely disbursement of resources and support towards electoral activities, and its pro-activeness in addressing related issues.
The Synod has made the observations in its communique issued after its 36th Assembly at Nalikule College of Education in Lilongwe from August 31 to September 3 2018.
On electoral laws, the Synod has said the system has been complicated by the rejection of the Electoral Reform Bills by Parliament, which it attributes to the dismissive attitude of certain political groups.
It argues: “For instance, the proposals for electoral reforms would have changed the electoral system from the “First past the post” [FPTP] to “50+1. The proposed system would have been more legitimate and widely representative.”
Ahead of the 2019 elections, the Synod has since urged the electorate to look for a leader who is visionary, courageous, with integrity, humility and is a strategic planner.
During the April 27 2018 demonstrations, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) demanded the re-tabling and enactment of the all the bills including the 50+1 electoral system of electing the President in their original form as proposed by the Law Commission.
