MEC won’t render services in political parties primary elections

Malawi Electoral Commission MEC has told political parties that its officers will not be involved in rendering balloting service during primary elections

In a press release MEC says its broad objective mandate is to prepare and conduct elections and referenda in the country.

However, the commission says as part of its strategies of fostering democratic electoral process, it regularly offers balloting services to political parties and other organizations which present it with the opportunity for enhancing credibility and legitimacy of electoral processes.

The electoral body says has successfully rendered this service to various political parties and other organizations during elective conventions and conferences for several years.

According to director media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa services offered by MEC include printing voters’ register, designing and printing of ballot papers and results sheets, devising the polling plan, administration and supervision of polling and vote counting.

Mwafulirwa says all these are rendered in accordance with the client’s specifications adding the balloting services are offered on request on a cost-recovery basis.

He says an organization that wishes to have its elections facilitated by officers of the Commission bears all the costs reasonably incurred in rendering the service.

Therefore a political party or organizations wishing to access the service should inform the Commission in writing at least three weeks in advance of the election to give ample time for preparation.

In addition, the party or organization is required to provide a list of positions to be contested and 2 names of eligible candidates as well as voters at least three days before the election.

Furthermore a political party or organization may also seek technical advice on a no recourse basis regarding an election which may be organized without the involvement of officers of the Commission