UN Chief calls for calm
The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged political parties to advise their supporters to refrain from violence or disruption of the electoral process.
In a press statement issued yesterday, Ban says the preliminary findings indicate that the polling process was consistent with regional and international standards.
His remarks, however, come following attempts by incumbent President Joyce Banda to nullify the election and call for fresh polls within 90 days, citing several fraudulent and rampant irregularities in the May 20 Tripartite Elections.
The Secretary General reiterated his call to the candidates and their supporters to respect the ongoing tallying process and follow existing legal procedures to resolve any electoral challenges or complaints.
Ban commended Malawians for turning out in large numbers to vote in the elections.
On Saturday afternoon, police moved in to quell pockets of violence in parts of Blantyre and Lilongwe cities, which threatened to escalate after news of the possibility of fresh elections broke following a directive from Banda.
However, yesterday peace and calm prevailed in all parts of the country as Malawians continue to wait for official results of the elections from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
