The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Monday urged constituency returning officers not to take sides during polls.
Speaking during the commencement of the training, MEC commissioner, Nancy Tembo, who is also chairperson of media, civic and voter education, said the electoral body should remain non-partisan and impartial to maintain its integity.
Tembo said MEC has all along conducted free, fair and credible election;hence, the need not to mess the electoral process.
“MEC is determined to deliver a credible election and we will not tolerate anyone to sabotage the process. Be informed that the commission will not hesitate to nip in the bud any acts that would affect its integrity.
“We are coming from voter registration exercise, which has been successful and we will not accept to fail on nominations.” said Tembo.
She said the returning officer’s task ahead of the them is crucial and as such she asked them to pay attention to lectures and get them right during the training as there will be no room to experiment, rehearsing or asking for second chances.
“We do not need to remind you the seriousness of May’s tripartite elections and the singular role MEC must play is that of being an impartial and competent referee of the whole process with priceless objective to make sure that only the will of Malawians prevail in determining who wins and loses in May.
“Therefore, please do not take sides as MEC will not hesitate, but rather to fire you willy nilly.” She enthused.
