MEC Clarifies K4bn Deposited In CEO’s Account

Malawi Electoral commission MEC has clarified on the 4 billion kwacha which was deposited into the account of Chief Elections Officer CEO Sam Alufandika.

MEC has made the clarification after the Daily Times reported on 1 July 2019 that government sent the money into the account held with FDH Bank.

In a press statement signed by Sangwani Mwafulirwa Director of Media and Public Relations the commission has stated in very strong terms, that it is not a personal account of Alfandika but a proper corporate bank account with seven signatories with various levels of authority or mandate as the case with all corporate bank accounts.

“The “Chief Election Officer” account is a legitimate bank account name and is one of the several bank accounts that the Commission has with commercial banks in the country,” Mwafulirwa clarifies

He further says the Chief Elections Officer, as an officer defined in the Act, is the Controlling Officer of the Commission and all funds as well as resources of MEC are under his control.

Mwafulirwa adds that it is a normal practice for public institutions to have an account after the title of the organization, the principal secretary or indeed the Chief Executive Officer for the ministry, department or public institution.

He says the Commission opened Chief Elections Officer account at the then Malawi Savings Bank in 2014 with authorization of the Secretary to the Treasury.

In March 2019 the Treasury transferred K8.5 billion to facilitate payment of printing of ballot papers and other bills for electoral activities, and allowances for security officers, polling staff and other service providers during the polling exercise.

“The Commission is also in the process of transferring K1.2 billion into the “Chief Elections Officer” account to facilitate the payments of other outstanding electoral expenses such as hiring of trucks for polling exercise and field staff allowances,” adds Mwafulirwa

The Commission has also categorically refuted pictures of a building under construction with a tag that it belongs to MEC Chief Elections Officer Sam Alfandika.

It has encouraged the media to exercise restraint on fabricating and spreading of lies that can jeopardize other people’s property.