Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Malawi have commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for the way the electoral body has conducted yesterday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
In an interview with Best of Malawi, Chairperson of the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA) Richard Sembereka described the 2009 Malawi general elections as “the best the country has held in terms of acts of violence in the history of the country’s polls.”
Sembereka, who rated the electoral commission’s administration of the polls as fair further expressed CONGOMA’s satisfaction with the turnout of voters, which according to him was put at 75 percent in most polling stations across the country.
But the umbrella body for NGOs in Malawi has pointed out that conducting an election was utopia and therefore would not expect the EC to administer a smooth parliamentary and presidential election, thus a few hitches were observed here and there.
“We observed a few drawbacks especially on the voters’ roll and in some instances the supervisors were misinforming and failed to handle voters if their names were missing [on the voters roll], but we are glad the EC was quick to handle them,” said Sembereka.
Commenting on security and conduct of voters, Secretary for Network for Conflict Transformation (NECOT) Edward Chaka agreed with Sembereka saying no major conflicts were registered.
“Although there were attempts by some people in various voting centers to start violence, the commission and police were so quick to act and calm the situations, so generally we would say the polls well conducted and we applaud [the] EC for the job well done, so far,” stated Chaka in a separate interview.
Meanwhile, as the EC is yet to officially announce results of the highly contested presidential and parliamentary polls, the NGOs in the country have called upon the EC and the media not to spoil the process in “these dying moments.”
“The electoral body has so far showed neutrality and we want this to continue until the results are officially announced as experience has shown that elections are spoilt at this stage [during the counting and announcing of results,” observed Chaka.
“Objectivity in announcing is very significant and therefore the commission must ensure equity. The media should also avoid raising sensations by providing the much needed information accurately, not projecting the results,” added Sembereka.
Responding to the NGOs remarks, the commission’s Chief Elections Officer David Bandawe said the electoral body will try all it can to ensure that the whole process finalises to the satisfaction of all participants, stakeholders and the public at large.
He further said it was encouraging that observers are commending the commission for handling the electoral process in a professional manner considering the time the commissioners had to prepare for the polls.
“Looking at the fact that we had the whole process organized within six months, as the commissioners were appointed last year, we are glad the elections have been handled successfully without acts of violence,” said Bandawe, although admitting there were few drawbacks, which have to be avoided in future.
About six million Malawians on Tuesday exercised their constitutional rights to vote for their President and representatives in Parliament for the next five years.
There were seven contestants competing in the presidential race, and over one thousand parliamentary aspirants competing for 193 seats in the National Assembly.
Official results are expected on Thursday.
