Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is practically impossible for the elections body to conduct a credible and genuine election on 23 June 2020 “in view of the logistical challenges it anticipates in implementing steps towards the holding of the polls”.
MEC Chairman Justice Dr Chifundo Kachale said this in a statement dated 10 June 2020.
He said MEC will be engaging with the contesting candidates to appraise them of the challenges it faces to deliver a free, fair and credible election.
In their meeting, MEC Chairman Dr. Chifundo Kachale overruled the majority of his Commissioners who tried to reason with him that it will be hard to organize a credible election by 23 June.
MEC needs to fulfill the following between now and the date of the Election:
- orient the new Commissioners
- train 9000 presiding officers
- train 55,000 monitors
- design and agree on the ballot paper
- ensure a transparent procurement of the ballot paper
- allow participating parties to travel and oversee the printing process.
However Dr. Kachale assured Stakeholders that though they have limited time to prepare MEC will ensure more transparency in the elections credibility.
Opposition parties have been pressing hard that the re run should not encourage negligent challenges as per last time where tippex was used to rig the Election.
