Observers Endorse The General Elections As Free, Fair

International election observers have said the 2009 general elections in which President Bingu wa Mutharika has won took place in an environment of peace and tranquility and that the results thus far are a true reflection of the will of the people of Malawi.
Malawi Electoral Commission will make an official announcement.
The observers include Commonwealth Observers Group, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA).
Speaking to the journalists yesterday in Blantyre, chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group John Kufuor said the mission has observed that Malawi is in the right direction and that other nations should learn from the way the elections have been conducted.
Kufuor said overall the campaign period was peaceful and that voters were free to express their will through the secret ballot. He also said counting at the polling station was generally conducted well.
"We have observed that Malawi being a young revolution of democracy is in the right direction and I encourage Malawi to develop more their country," he said.
However, Kufuor observed that the overwhelming impact of the exploitation of the incumbency advantage, especially unashamed bias of the state TV and radio, created a markedly unlevel playing field, tarnishing the otherwise democratic character of the campaign.
He said it is a concern to Commonwealth because some of the shortcomings identified, such as media bias, exploitation of incumbency and problems with the process of voter registration reflect some of the problems highlighted in 2004.
"In order to fully meet benchmarks for democratic elections Malawi needs to address theses issues ahead of the next elections," Kufuor said.
Ambassador Otema Musuka, Head of COMESA Election Observer Mission said Malawi has proved to Africa and the world as whole that it is possible to hold peaceful, free and fair elections.
He said COMESA is encouraged because the verdict on who the next President of Malawi will be has been passed by Malawians without being forced.
"Malawi has set a good example and this is the culture we need. Let people choose the leaders of their choice," Musuka said.
Musuka congratulated Malawi for turning up in large numbers and urged them to maintain peace in the post election period.
EISA Mission leader Denis Kadima said the elections were held in conformity with the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC region (PEMMO).

AEP