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PAC cries foul, feels shunned by MEC

The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has cried foul that its efforts to meet Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) over the messy voter’s roll has hit a blank with the electoral body shifting goalposts on each proposed date of the meeting.

The multi-faith democracy watchdog now thinks MEC is deliberately postponing scheduled meetings, according to PAC chairperson the Reverend Felix Chingota.

Chingota: We feel it is deliberate
Chingota: We feel it is deliberate

MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa asked for more time to verify Chingota’s sentiments.

PAC has been meeting political party leaders, notably presidential candidates, as follow-up meetings to the February 2014 All-Inclusive Stakeholders’ Conference.

Said Chingota: “We are meeting with the presidential candidates to share with them on the importance of peace before, during and after the elections. So, we have what we are calling a draft peace declaration document which they need to look at, make amendments and sign against it. Today, we were also inviting these presidential candidates to prayers which will be held on the 10th of May.

According to Chingota, if the country is to achieve the much desired peace, there is a need for the electoral body to be transparent in their dealings, as any mess could be a catalyst for ‘situation crises.’

However, Chingota said they will keep pressing for a meeting with the electoral body.

Present during the meeting was United Democratic Front (UDF) president, Atupele Muluzi and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Lazarus Chakwera.

After the meeting, Atupele also expressed his concern over the messed up voter registration.

He said: “We are yet to know MEC’s state of readiness, especially with regards to credibility of voter’s roll. Since the verification exercise is still ongoing, we are yet to know because if you have a fraudulent process then you might have a fraudulent outcome and that fraudulent outcome could lead to insecurity and violence. That is why we believe that the initiative by PAC to make sure the electoral outcome is credible, free and fair is a commendable move.”

On his part, Chakwera said: “MEC is facing a lot of challenges, but we have hope that they will do a good job.”

 

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