CEDE appeals to International Organizations to intervene in MEC-Political Parties Standoff
Centre for Democracy and Elections CEDE which was accredited by Malawi Electoral Commission to conduct voter and civic education has called on international organisations with mediation expertise such as UN, Commonwealth, AU and SADC to intervene in the standoff between Malawi Electoral Commission and opposition political parties
has recommended extension of second phase of voter registration to allow all eligible registrants especially those left out by National Registration Bureau to be registered
In its analysis of the second phase CEDE says there were increased political tension, violence, unprofessional conduct of police, misinformation, noncompliance of court order, standoff between MEC and opposition political parties fuel crisis and vote buying among other challenges
CEDE wonders why MEC proceeded with second phase of voter registration when NRB was not ready and goes ahead with third phase before dealing with challenges encountered
The centre has called for suspension of third phase of voter registration until such a time NRB is ready to work side by side with it in all voter registration centred
It has also demanded MEC to review its engagement strategy with stakeholders and start listening to their concerns
Meanwhile CEDE says failure of MEC and NRB to adhere to court order has demoralized many voters and their noncompliance has made the current voter roll not inclusive and incredible