MEC rejects Opposition Parties’ Demands
Malawi Electoral Commission MEC has rejected demands which three opposition political parties namely DPP, UTM and AFORD made during a joint press briefing last week on 16th September
Among others the parties requested MEC to end the contract with smart mantic company of supplying election management devices and resignation of chair as well as other senior officials of the commission
In a response letter released today and signed by chair justice Anabel Mtalimanja MEC says cannot terminated EMD’s contract and they cannot resign because were appointed as per law
Mtalimanja says the discussed the demands of the opposition political parties on 17th October but found not evidence in their examinations hence asking them to do their investigations on the matter
She said before purchasing the machines MEC officers went to South Africa in March 2022 to appreciate the new technology therefore on 4 August in 2023 the commission agreed to find a company that will supply the machines and PPDA approved on 21st August
Thereafter government found three companies but two failed to meet requirements as agreed by 9 November
As such MEC officers went to Taiwan on 28 January to assess the devices as well as Zambia and Kenya where the machines were also used
The commission has disclosed that officers from Centre for Multiparty Democracy CMD were part of the visit to Zambia hence asking political parties to do their investigation
According to the opposition political parties Smart mantic International Holding which won the contract to supply Election Management Devices was involved in electoral malpractices in Venezuela, Phillipines, Kenya and others.
