Malawi Elections MAY 2009

EC Banks of Elections Review Report

2009-06-25T23:23:00.001-07:00

By AEP/Richard Chirombo

The Electoral Commission (EC) has expressed hope the on-going Elections Review exercise would help it handle future polls better.

EC Chairperson, Anastasia Msosa, said in an interview the May19, 2009 Parliamentary and Presidential elections posed a big challenge for the electoral body, but the way it was "successfully" handled raised management prospects for future polls higher.

Msosa said she did not expect findings of the elections' review process to be "much different from what we have noted as some of the problems that marred the elections".

"Of course, we are looking forward to results of the Elections Review process because we stand to learn a lot from them. It was a very big challenge to run to May19 elections but we do not expect the findings to be far much different from what we have found already," said Msosa.

She said the review, which commenced in Lilongwe this week, would also help the EC in preparing for the Local Government elections slated for 2010.

"It is a timely intervention because we stand to benefit a lot, in terms of planning for the local government elections next year," said Msosa.

Malawian Hail Speaker's Choice

2009-06-23T03:10:00.001-07:00

By AEP/Richard Chirombo
Though the election of Henry Chimunthu Banda as Malawi's new Speaker
of Parliament was a foregone conclusion, after his election by a
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus held two weeks ago, Malawi's
leading newspapers have hailed his elevation to the position.
Both The Nation and The Daily Times, have hailed the rise of Chimunthu
Banda from oblivion a decade ago, to become Malawi's 10th Speaker of
Parliament.
They have, however, asked him to consider opposition views. The Nation
argues in its editorial that, while opposition Members of Parliament
were few in numbers, they were not short of ideas.
Political observers, speaking in The Daily Times, have hailed
Chimunthu's election. They hail him as a sober man who braved the heat
when being in Parliament meant brushing shoulders with High Blood
Pressure during the last parliament.
That Parliament was criticized left and right by civil society
organizations. It made Budget Sessions difficult, and rejected some
important bills such as the Malawi/Mozambique Interconnection Bill
aimed at fixing the country's misfiring energy sources.
However, Chimunthu Banda how inherits a House sobered up by the just
ended May19 elections- where some heavyweights were sent packing and
new faces ushered in. The only worry by observers is his DPP ground,
as party Secretary General.
Chimunthu Banda has not hinted on whether he plans to resign from that
position, though the statutes say a Speaker should be impartial and
not play to party guidance or direction.
The most recent Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, Louis
Chimango, maintained his position of Director of Legal Affairs in
Malawi Congress Party to the end.
People now argue the influence of the two positions could be
different, and that resignation by Chimunthu Banda could just do it
for the better- at least for the image of the Office of the Speaker of
Parliament.

Parties ready for meet

2009-06-23T02:09:00.001-07:00

Malawi's largest political parties in Parliament have said they were ready for the inaugural meeting slated for June 2.

The parties also said they looked forward to an improved working relationships between ruling and opposition legislators.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) are the most influential political parties in Parliament. DPP has, so far, including independent candidates who have jumped ship, 139 Members of Parliament (MPs), MCP 26 and 16 for UDF.

This means president Bingu wa Mutharika's DPP has a working majority, one it may use to bring about various changes.

DPP Spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba, said the party was just looking forward to the meet, now that Mutharika has appointed his line ministers and the party already voted for names to fill the influential position of Speaker and his deputies. The party has also nominated Leader of the House in the name of Goodall Gondwe, Chief Whip and House Committee chairpersons.

"We are ready for everything," said Ntaba.

Leader of the UDF in Parliament, Ibrahim Matola, said party MPs were happy that the meeting was finnally here, on June 22, and his party legislators looked forward to a cordial working relationship with the ruling DPP.

"Yes, we are ready. We would wish to bring about constructive changes in our conduct, and hope to do this by building a good working relationship with those on the ruling side. Being in opposition does not mean being enemies of development initiatives. In fact, it is our role as the opposition to complement government in it's development initiatives," said Matola.

His sentiments were echoed by MCP's Director of Research, Lington Belekanyama, who said the party would hold a caucus to elect Parliamentary office bearers after which, he said, the party would be fully ready for everything.

"But we are happy that MPs are meeting, and look forward to fruitful deliberations," said Belekanyama.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Defiant DPP MPs Follow Mutharika

2009-06-22T13:57:00.001-07:00

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Members of Parliament who contested on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket and lost, and have resorted to the courts to find solutions to their electoral problems despite president Bingu wa Mutharika's appeal that they abandon such action, are still following the president.

This has been evident in all of Mutharika's 'Thank you Tours" and other national engagements.

These include Rashid Gaffar, losing MP for Blantyre-Kabula and Gift Mwamondwe, who lost during party primaries held for Blantyre City Central constituency. Elections in the later got postponed after the death of one of the contestants- National Rainbow Coalition's (NARC) aspirant Madalitso Mbewe.

NARC has, however, surprised political observers and voters by announcing it will not take part in the elections.

Party president Loveness Gondwe, says the party has a policy that encourages it to participate in elections it has high hopes of carrying the day in.

She does not believe Blantyre Central has any such possibilities.

"We will not contest just for the sake of contesting. We calculate our winning chances. We announce that our party will not be part of the Blantyre City Central elections," said Gondwe in an interview.

The election of a parliamentary representative will take place on July 31 this year.

One of the defeated MPs, Rashid Gaffar, said in an interview at the Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre- where Mutharika opened Malawi's 21^st International Trade Fair, he would continue to follow the party.

"Once DPP, always DPP. I shall continue to remain loyal to the party and its ideals," he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Mwamondwe. He said his love for Mutharika and the party was so great that he would never forsake it.

Mwamondwe is one of the people contesting in the Blantyre Central polls on an independent ticket despite DPP featuring its own candidate.

Chilumpha still in dark

2009-06-22T13:53:00.001-07:00

AEP/ Richard Chirombo

With just days to go before Parliament's inaugural meeting on June 22, former Vice President Cassim Chilumpha is yet to know his position as regards Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) membership.

Chilumpha, who won a Parliamentary sit in Malawi's central region district of Nkhotakota on an independent ticket, announced after being sworn in as MP he would join the DPP.

The party has, however, put its foot down, saying Chilumpha needed to write a letter expressing interest to join the party. This has never happened in Malawi's political party history and raises questions over DPP's objective.

Almost all political parties in Malawi have no membership records, a development that leaves party membership open. This has often posed challenges in dealing with violent party elements, as parties easily disassociate themselves with marauding supporters.

However, things seem to have changed in the DPP, as Second Deputy party president, Khumbo Kachali, announced recently.

Kachali said Chilumpha needed to apply for party membership to DPP's politburo as wait for a response.

But Chilumpha has argued that Kachali only made the sentiments in the media without writing him on the new development.

He says that, to date, he has not even received such communication.

This has left observers wondering as to when such communication would reach Chilumpha, as Parliament meets on June 22.

The former Veep said, however, he would never give us, adding DPP had shown itself to be a national party from the massive votes it amassed in the May 19 elections.

DPP MPs in Constituency Cerebrations

2009-06-22T13:51:00.001-07:00

By Richard Chirombo

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) MPs have taken a cue from President Bingu wa Mutharika's 'Thank you Tours' and are now organizing own victory cerebrations at constituency level.

Leading the fray is Mutharika's brother, Peter, who has made it to parliament at his first attempt. He had a full-course meal party for chiefs and party supporters in Thyolo late last week.

In Zomba, Kasungu , Karonga and Mzimba; it has been the same.

However, one of the party's new catches, Billy Kaunda who won on an independent ticket in Mzimba but has since joined the DPP, has suspended his cerebration parties. Kaunda says he has received death threats from people, he alleges, whom lost to him in the May19 Parliamentary elections.

DPP spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba, has described the constituency cerebrations over food as normal.

He says it is "Malawian" to go back to people and express appreciation.

"We are very happy, as a party, that, for the first time in our history, people have voted for us overwhelmingly. We are so much thankful to the people of Malawi and hence the 'thank you' cerebrations," said Ntaba.

Some of the DPP MPs whose wins are being contested in the courts (by

Losing contestants) have not lagged behind- an indication of the confidence they have in the votes that took them to Parliament.

Bingu Leaves Parliamentary Position Aspirants Out

2009-06-19T11:10:00.001-07:00

AEP/Richard Chirombo

President Bingu wa Mutharika has left Democratic Progressive Party nominees for Parliamentary positions out of his cabinet announced Thursday.

Analysts have described the development as an indication of the president's faith in his newly-attained majority status in parliament. This contradicts trends in the past five years of his administration when DPP nominees would retain their positions till the last hour. It was not uncommon to have the opposition dominated parliament reject Mutharika's appointments.

But the DPP can now manage to nominate people for various positions in government as consider them as good as endorsed.

"The president knows that he has a majority in Parliament and can do as he so pleases. That is why he has left out (of cabinet) people nominated by the party for positions of Speaker of Parliament, deputies, and other positions," said Rafiq Hajat, Executive Director for the Institute for Policy Interaction.

ADPP caucus held recently proposed party Secretary General, Henry Chimunthu Banda for the position of Speaker, as well as his two deputies. Chimunthu Banda has never been left out of cabinet for the past five years, but misses out of Mutharika's new cabinet.

Mutharika has also appointed an Inspector General (IG) of Police who he has already started referring to as IG, and not Acting IG.

Hajat said, as Mutharika's confidence grows, so will his zeal for development. But others fear he might abuse his powers- assertions clashed by DPP Spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba.

While Mutharika has left Chimunthu Banda, and other proposed names for Parliamentary positions, pressure is now growing for Chimunthu Banda to relinquish his DPP GS role.

Analysts say this will help improve the impartiality of the Speakers' office- which calls for impartiality and non-accountability to sponsoring parties.

UDF News Staff Rush to Labour Office

2009-06-17T08:59:00.001-07:00

AEP/Richard Chirombo
It never rains but pours for the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Straight from a disastrous performance in the May 19 parliamentary and presidential elections, the party now has to face up to another depressing reality: former UDF News staff have taken the party to the labour office over unsettled dues.
UDF News is the party's official publication but has, however, been missing on the country's streets since 2005- when president Bingu wa Mutharika dumped the party to form the Democratic Progressive Party.
This forced the party to deploy some staff members to the (party) secretariat.
One of the affected staff revealed that they have gone to Blantyre Labour Office where, among other things, they are asking government to help them recover their benefits, which date as far back as 1999 for some of them.
The action by former UDF staff members comes fast on the heels of reports that the party could not benefit from parliamentary financial subvention, though party lawyer Fahad Assan has argued otherwise.
UDF officials asked for more time when contacted, saying the paper did not fall directly under the party's National Executive Committee as it was sometimes bankrolled by party sympathizers and chairperson, former President Bakili Muluzi.
Muluzi has hinted he wanted to retire from active politics, a decision said to have influenced the decision to fire staff members as Muluzi has been the party's sole financier.
The party now faces financial uncertainty, prompting political commentators to comment that its fast diminishing stout was cause for worry as it would mean a key player in democracy approaching collapse.

Independents left out of parliamentary positions

2009-06-16T15:23:00.001-07:00

AEP/Richard Chirombo

The period after the May 19 parliamentary and presidential elections has been a tedious one for many, as the winning Democrtic Progressive Party (DPP) has been busy addressing 'Thank you' tours throughout the country.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) has been regretting its decision to go into political partnership with the Malawi Congress Party of JohnTembo, to the extent that UDF spokesperson Rob Jamieson has publicily attributed the loss to differences in ideology with its alliance partner.

The UDF is liberal while the MCP is conservative, said Jamieson. So, the two parties could not work together.

The MCP? Busy, busy, busy- internal party bickering. There were fireworks after the elections, as fired party publicist Ishmael Chafukira saw disaster in the elections' results and openly called for party president, Tembo's resignation. A hot battle ensued, one that has seen Chafukira being booted out of the party.

Tembo has since called Chafukira a "mere observer" of MCP affairs as he was no longer party to it while Chafukira has retorted: I did not apply to be a member of the MCP; so, Tembo, or the party, can not fire me.

A pressure group has since been established, to clear the bushes for Tembo's last political trip back home- in Dedza South where he is MP.

He still stands on his feet, though, above high mountains, saying he did not lose the presidential polls. Hence he has gone to court.

The political pot has been real hot, but only on part of political parties.

Independents? No. The only noise they have made is that of denouncing their independence status to join either DPP or MCP. Only four have joined the opposition while the rest have opted for the ruling accolade.

Even former Vice President, Cassim Chilumpha, has joined the fray. He contested in Nkhotakota as an independent, now he says he will join DPP. DPP has, however, rebuffed him, saying he should write a letter expressing his interest.

Chilumpha questions: As if applying for the post of Chief Executive Officer? He is battled.

Other than that, the independents have been quiet. In the last parliament, at a time similar to this one, the ten independent crop of MPs was making noise. Even challenging for parliamentary positions.

Speaker. Deputy Speaker, Second Deputy Speaker. And more. They got some, like that of second deputy speaker for Chingola.

Others argue that it was because he (Chingola) had shown political colours of yellow- the colour for UDF. But the independents fought, that is it.

Today, some three weeks after the polls, no independent is challenging for positions. The likes of Jolly Kalero, Felix Njawala have kept quiet.

Political commentator Rafiq Hajat feels that the independents should make political parties toil for their parliamentary positions. That will make the independents' voice audible.

"They should, at least, fight for something. They, too, represent people (constituents)," he said.

That is unlikely to happen. It should have happened a long time ago, if anything.

But Njawala, one of the independents, says people will be surprised because they have been working on the sidelines.

The only problem, he says, is that the independents lack one voice.

Others are for government. Others for the opposition.

Nobody is really independent.

It remains to be seen, however, what June 22 may bring.

From all corners of Malawi, MPs converge at parliament building for national business. So far, no independent MP has challenged for anything, except, perhaps, development.

Any room for independents?

Muluzi reclaims public role

2009-06-14T14:14:00.001-07:00

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Former president, Bakili Muluzi, who teamed up with Malawi Congress MCP (MCP) president John Tembo to unseat President Bingu wa Mutharika during the May19 presidential elections may quickly be recovering from the political shuttering shock of that defeat as he has now started making public statements.

This contradicts the situation for former alliance partner Tembo. With the voices for his resignation growing louder by the day, and political bickering within his own party about his leadership style unravels, he hardly has time for public statements.

Tembo has not spoken in public about any policy issue since his disastrous performance in the race to State House. Not Muluzi.

The former president said today he would not rest until government sets aside June 14, the day Malawi attained multiparty democracy from the one party regime of MCP in 1994, as a special day.

Muluzi says June 14 is such a momentous and memorable day that not celebrating it was tantamount to "spitting" on the people who fought for multiparty democracy in Malawi.

"Some of them even died. So, I am asking government to set aside June 14 for these people; we need to be remembering them as a nation because of the sacrifices they made," said Muluzi, making his inaugural post-defeat public statement.

He last spoke before announcement of the May 19 elections results, in which, among other things, he congratulated Mutharika.

Government is yet to respond to the request.

No latest results on EC website

2009-06-14T14:06:00.001-07:00

By Richard Chirombo

People have complained over the lack of latest information on the Electoral Commission's (EC) website.

Most of the people interviewed- aspiring members of parliament who did not make it during the May 19 elections, and political parties looking for official percentages of the national vote they amassed- have expressed disappointment of the development.

They say the EC should not behave as if the process was over, because there were things still to be done, including aggregating of votes to come up with percentages.

United Democratic Front lawyer, Fahad Assan, said the party was looking for EC's published aggregate results to confirm its assertion it was entitled to parliamentary funding since it attained 10 per cent of the votes.

Other people say the party can not because it has not attained 10 per cent of seats in parliament.

Assan said it was, thus, only the EC that could provide the final solution by providing the percentages of the national vote because, the way he knew it, it was the national vote, and not percentage of seats in parliament, that mattered.

His sentiments were echoed by Mathews Zimtambira Gama, who said he had been surfing the internet looking for latest results to no avail.

"These people are not serious. We need latest up dates on the elections, especially pertaining to the disputed votes and national aggregates. We want to know how much (percentage) political parties got," said Zimtambira Gama.

Bingu to soon declare his Assets

2009-06-12T14:13:00.001-07:00

President Bingu wa Mutharika has said he will soon declare his assets as a requirement for Politicians when taking office.

Speaking during a press conference held at state House in Lilongwe on Tuesday the President said he is ready to declare his assets again having done that already when he was entering his first term of office.

According to the President, he is so far the only politician in Malawi who has ever made known his possessions after all the politicians declined to do so.

At the beginning of office the president said he had about 150 million kwacha wealth of assets at the onset of his first term beginning 2004.

Mutharika said he had a massed his fortune from the gratuities which he got from Organisations such as Comesa, United nations , among others ,where he once worked.

He was reacting to some allegations from people that he has so much fortune to his name among them the Ndata Farm in Thyolo which has drawn a lot of negative comments from the opposition.

Some quarters have accused the president of using government resources in developing his estate.

The President said he has been building Ndata farm from his personal accounts.

"I retired from Comesa, United Nations where I got gratuity, where do you think I kept the money? I stored it in the bank.

"I have been building Ndata Farm slowly with my own resources, Government did not spend anything on the farm" said the President.

Mutharika pointed out that the 6.5 million Kwacha which he used to buy Ndata Farm is peanuts compared to his 150 million Kwacha which he had to his name at the time he became President.

The President of course said people should expect an increase to his soon to be declared possessions considering that he has been getting allowances and salary as the head of state.

Mana

Chafukira vows to continue fighting for Tembo’s resignation

2009-06-12T09:55:00.001-07:00

By AEP/Richard Chirombo

The reality of dismissal for former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson, Ishmael Chafukira, seems to be sinking in now, replacing the aura of defiance and self denial.

The controversial MP has now started speaking in reverse gear.

Need an example?

"Though they say they have sacked me from the party, they must know that the battle is not over. It has just begun. I will continue to fight for (party president John) Tembo's resignation from top leadership: he has messed up the party," said Chafukira Friday.

Chafukira attracted the wrath of the party (he says it is the wrath of Tembo, and not the party) when he openly enthused in the media that Tembo was ripe for retirement.

This was in sharp contrast to his, hither to, good boy attitude. He almost always agreed with Tembo's sentiments during the first five years of Mutharika's administration, as the opposition United Democratic Front and MCP ganged up to frustrate government business in parliament.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was then in minority, having been formed after the 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections. DPP presidential candidate, Bingu wa Mutharika, stood on UDF ticket during the 2004 presidential elections but later unceremoniously dumped the party, citing the party's efforts in attempting to what he called his zero-tolerance to corruption.

Now that the political tide has changed course and DPP is in majority in parliament, Chafukira. Too, saw the opportunity to wear off his 'good boy' politics and air our what he termed 'majority' concerns within the rank and file of the MCP.

He is now the sacrificial lamb.

"But I am not finished. I have just paved the way and things will real change. I don't regret expressing my views because, as party spokesperson, I was speaking on behalf of the party membership. People feel that, with the disastrous May results, Tembo would see sense in paving way for others. Not at all," said Chafukira.

But, in a related interview, Tembo refused to comment on Chafukira's sentiments.

Tembo said he was not used to commenting on party "outsiders".

"Ishmael Chafukira? Who is Ishmael Chafukira? We don't have such a name in the MCP Executive Committee," said Tembo.

The way he put it, Chafukira hardly exists.

Parliamentarians expected in cabinet

2009-06-11T01:11:00.001-07:00

By Richard Chirombo/AEP

President Bingu wa Mutharika told members of the media yesterday there would be surprises in his yet to be announced cabinet, but political observers have said that, at least, one thing will not come as a surprise: the appointment of sitting Members of Parliament.

Observers have, for the past 15 years of multiparty democracy in Malawi, noted that there was need to exclude sitting MPs from cabinet appointments, a development they say could help ministers operate effectively as they would not be tinted by political affiliation.

The call has, however, been taken heed of by Malawian presidents as they have always tended to pick from within parliament, forcing MPs to wear off their parliamentarian tag as they respond to line (ministry) questions from fellow legislators.

Rafiq Hajat, Executive Director for the think tank Institute for Policy Interaction, said it was certain Mutharika would choose ministers from among MPs.

A sentiment echoed by Kenwilliams Mhango, who said the real surprise would come if Mutharika chose from without parliament.

"Otherwise, the cabinet will bring no surprises when it comes to choosing from sitting MPs. We need to move away from this tendency," said Mhango.

Democratic Progressive Party's spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba, said,whatever happens,it is the prelogative of the president to choose cabinet ministers from "anywhere. Be it parliament or private sector or civil society organizations. It is his prelogative," said Ntaba.

Tembo Unperturbed on Leader of Opposition Slot

2009-06-10T14:17:00.001-07:00

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, John Tembo, who is largely expected to fill the position of Leader of Opposition in the new cabinet, has sneered at calls for him not to accept the position, reiterating that Parliamentary Standing Orders were his "guide and not people's sentiments".

There have been nascent calls for Tembo to reject the position, as he faces opposition from both within his party and political observers. He held a similar position before parliament got dissolved on March 20 earlier this year.

But Tembo, speaking in an interview, said he would follow what the standing orders said. This means he would more likely be the leader again.

"Have you heard me campaigning for the position of leader of the opposition? No. It is in the law; the Standing Orders of Parliament. Who am I to say no," said Tembo.

He quashed suggestions there were divisions in the MCP, saying the party was a united lot.

"We are one in the party; nothing like divisions. And we will be one in parliament," said Tembo, a member of parliament for Dedza South in the Central region.
AEP/By Richard Chirombo

DPP Wants Opposition to Fight Own Battle for Speaker

2009-06-09T05:11:00.001-07:00

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has not taken heed of opposition's plea for the position of, at least, one deputy speaker of parliament preferring to feature candidates in all crucial positions instead.
The party has earmarked former Leader of the House, Henry Chimunthu Banda, for the position of speaker, seconded by former deputy speaker Jones Chingola and new comer Juliana Mphande, respectively.
This, in essence, dismisses the opposition's request to, at least, have a position to call.
United Democratic Front's (UDF) spokesperson, Rob Jamieson, appealed last week for the DPP to be considerate and allow the opposition a slot in any of the speakers' positions.
The speaker, once elected in parliament by MPs, serves as the head of the legislature- one of the three branches of government.
DPP has surprised many a political observer by pulling a surprise in the May19 parliamentary elections, with 114 MPs to boot. This is the largest number to be had by any political party in Malawi and opens a new chapter in Malawi's democracy as observers stand eager to learn what the next five years would be like.
There are fears the DPP may abuse its numerical advantage and initiate policies that may be in the public's interest, sentiments dismissed by DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba.
When asked as to why the party has nominated people for all positions, DPP Secretary General Henry Chimunthu Banda, said it would have made no sense had the party left out the other two positions of First Deputy and Second Deputy Speaker, respectively, because there is no formal agreement between the party and the opposition at the moment.
"That is why our party caucus chose people we felt could represent us well. Let the opposition parties fight their own battles as well, by earmarking people for the positions. It is parliament that will decide, in the end, so there is no need to worry at all," said Chimunthu Banda.
During the most recent parliament, which was dissolved on March 20, 2009,, the opposition never gave the minority DPP government a chance to the top three positions, a development observers say the DPP could have emulated.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Malasa consecration

2009-06-08T02:40:00.001-07:00

President Bingu wa Mutharika on Sunday called on all Malawians to care and love one another for peace in the country to continue prevailing.

The president said this at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Ground in Mangochi at the consecration of the Very Reverend Brighton Vitta Malasa as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire.

"Let us extend our love and care to our friends and even our enemies. We should love and care for the elderly, the disabled and all those who have fallen from the grace of God," he said.

Dr. Mutharika said God loves Malawi saying he provides the country with natural resources like rains and therefore urged Christians to live exemplary lives through the extension of God's love as a way of promoting togetherness.

The President also thanked all denominations in the country for their peaceful co-existence as demonstrated by the dignitaries present at the consecration.

"Today I have witnessed that we have people from different churches celebrating this mass. This has touched me and it is a clear indication that Christians in Malawi are united. As the church, you all have one duty and that is to serve the Lord and look after His flock," he said.

The President again thanked the clergy in the country for their prayers of peace towards the general elections that took place on 19 May this year .

"Your prayers helped in because peace prevailed after the elections," he said.

Mutharika then congratulated the Bishop Malasa saying that God should guide him in his work in serving the church and helping government.

Apart from presenting an upright fridge as a gift to the new bishop, the president also pledged to give the bishop and his diocese a car and money amounting to MK 2 million.

Speaking earlier, Dean of the Province of Central Africa the Right Rev. Albert Chama asked the new bishop to look after all the people in the diocese irrespective of their social and economic status.

Rev. Chama, who led the consecration ceremony, also thanked President Bingu wa Mutharika for gracing the occasion.

Bishop Malasa becomes the second bishop of the Upper Shire which became a diocese after receiving autonomy from the Diocese of Southern Malawi in 1998.

He succeeds Archbishop Bernard Amos Malango who retired in December 2007.

The diocese of the upper Shire of the Anglican has 24 parishes and covers the political districts of the Eastern Region and parts of Mwanza and Phalombe.

Mana

Malawian newspapers: focus on independents, John Tembo, MPs swearing in

2009-06-07T15:02:00.001-07:00

Malawian newspapers have this week been rife with reports on independent candidates, failed joint United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate John Tembo and the swearing in of the country's newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs).

The focus on Tembo emanated from his recent declarations he did not accept Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate's win in the May 19 presidential elections. The Electoral Commission declared Bingu wa Mutharika winner of the polls but Tembo has refused to bulge over his allegations the elections had many irregularities and, thus, he can not accept the results until the courts determine on the matter.

Journalists have been interested to see whether Tembo would accept to be sworn in, and thus, subsequently, concede defeat indirectly in so doing. The UDF/MCP candidate finally took oath of office and allegiance on Tuesday, but maintained that did not translate into a concession of defeat as he was still convinced he won.

"This (swearing in) does not, in any way, mean I have conceded defeat. Which defeat?" queried Tembo.

He was booed by perceived DPP supporters as he took his oath of office; equally cheered on by a handful of MCP sympathizers who included his wife Ruth.

As the focus on the swearing in of MPs, which was high on newspaper pages earlier in the week, waned, attention turned to the next moves of independent MPs. Most of them failed in party primaries and decided to stand on their own but were using party symbols and slogans.

It was interesting to note that some of the independents who were, hither to, behind MCP candidate Tembo changed ship and went to seat on the government side. These included Jolly Kalero, a former presenter and broadcaster at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

This could, in part, explain why the number of DPP elected MPs has swollen to 143 (as of yesterday). Party Publicity Secretary Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba said the number was more likely to grow as more MPs saw development sense in working with Mutharika.

The other interesting issues well covered by the newspapers was former president Cassim Chilumpha's declaration he would support government, and that he was working on joining the DPP.

Chilumpha was critical of Mutharika during the formative years of DPP, accusing him of "cheating UDF voters" by ditching the party while in government to form his own, the DPP.

However, his recent declaration has not come as a surprise because the former Veep was asking his constituents from Nkhotakota to vote for him as MP and Mutharika for president.

During his last days in office, he also surprised observers when he, all of a sudden, started singing praises for government, even prompting Mutharika to laud Chilumpha's efforts in rallying people's support towards government's initiatives.

The former Vice President contested for the UDF presidency against party chairperson Bakili Muluzi, where he lost miserably against accusations of favoritism as Muluzi was allowed to address convention delegates and he (Chilumpha) was not. That is largely attributed to be the cracking point between Chilumpha and Muluzi on one hand, and Chilumpha and the party on the other.

A situation compounded by the conviction and subsequent jailing of one of his vocal supporters Sam Mpasu. Mpasu's ordeal came before the convention, exposing Chilumpha to the political winds so powerful to be faced with alone.

Many independents have joined the government side during the week, a fact that also attracted media attention. The Daily Times, for instance, described the MPs' move in an editorial as betrayal of voters' wishes.

It questioned whether voters were foolish to vote for independents instead of, say, DPP, UDF or MCP? The paper asked MPs not to betray the wishes of their constituents by jumping ship anyhow.

This and next week, attention is expected to focus on the appointment of a new cabinet by president Mutharika. Delays to do so would delay the next meeting of parliament, largely expected to be early next week, or make it academic if it is held without cabinet ministers.

All eyes are on Mutharika. He is the appointing authority, as said by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Bright Msaka, this week.

AEP

Post Malawi Elections 2009 : Week in review

2009-06-07T15:01:00.001-07:00

As the dust is refusing to settle from the May 19 general elections aftermath, the week gone by had a story of the Members of Parliament taking oath of office and allegiance attracting most attention.
Of course taking oath was something anticipated but it was yet to be seen how Parliament would handle constituencies whose results are being contested in the courts following a court injunction which some failed aspirants applied to the High Court.
The injunction was aimed at restraining winning candidates from taking oath of office.
But High Court Judge Joseph Manyungwa rebuffed the application saying granting an interlocutory injunction restraining the winning candidates from taking oath of office would deprive the rights of constituents to be represented in the National Assembly.
The judge argued that the cases would go expedited hearing saying such cases have an abridged time as stipulated in the practice direction 1 of 2009.
The ruling left people who are contesting the results like Chief political advisor to the president Hetherwick Ntaba who contested for Lilongwe South East on DPP ticket and lost to MCP'S Willard Gwengwe and former speaker of Parliament Louis Chimango frustrated.
The Court's verdict allowed the winning MPs to take oath between Monday and Tuesday with only two constituencies Zomba Malosa and Blantyre City Centre left out.
The two constituencies will hold by elections because the vice president Joyce Banda won the Zomba Malosa seat. Banda surrendered her seat in order to serve as the vice president while for Blantyre City Centre the parliamentary elections were postponed on May 19 to July due to the death of one of the aspiring candidates. DPP has since said it will hold primary elections for the Zomba Malosa by elections.
During the two days the MPs were taking oath, the most noticeable thing was how DPP supporters booed MCP president John Tembo who was among the MPs who took oath.
Tembo was not moved with the insults leveled at him and made it clear that by taking oath of office does not mean he has conceded defeat. He has said he will only concede defeat if only the courts rule that the elections were not rigged. But government has since asked the High Court in Lilongwe to dismiss John Tembo's case.
At the end of the swearing ceremony of new MPs, DPP netted 29 out of 32 independent MPs to make it 143 MPs on the government side.
Reports indicated that only two independents sat on the opposition side with the rest associating themselves with government side.

Among independent MPs who have joined DPP are former vice president Cassim Chilumpha. Another prominent figure that is showing allegiance to DPP is Malavi People's Party (MPP) president Uladi Mussa who decided to sit on the government side after taking oath.
Chilumpha has since opted for a full government retirement package which means the Nkhota Kota South parliamentarians would forgo the monthly package from Parliament.
The constitution provides that a retired head of state or vice president who chooses to back to politics can either have a retired package forfeited if the person opts for a monthly salary from the consolidated fund or vice versa.
The development exacerbated fears from some quarters of a looming dictatorship which DPP dismissed saying DPP MPs were people of high integrity who would preserve the dignity and discipline of the House by supporting Mutharika and government development agenda.
As word of advice, Vice President Joyce Banda warned new MPs that noise makers in the last National Assembly were left out by voters in the May 19.
Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo who conducted the swearing in ceremony also asked the MPs to protect the public in running their affairs.
In another development MCP forced its new elected MPs to sign for a letter purportedly expressing allegiance to John Tembo to be the next leader of opposition. MCP woes continued with more MCP officials joining former party's spokes person Ishmael Chafukira to call for new blood.

Bingu Commends Churches For Praying for Peaceful Elections

2009-06-07T15:00:00.001-07:00

President Bingu wa Mutharika on sunday thanked the church for praying for peaceful elections in the just ended May 19 General elections.He was speaking at the consecration of the Anglican Bishop for the diocess of the Upper Shire, bishop Brighton Malasa."Let me tell you.There are some who until do not believe God answers prayer.Malawi has set the standards.We have managed to hold peaceful elections,said happily Bingu.He therefore,wished the knewly consecrated bishop a health life and all the best.

AEP

Youth Organization in Voter Education Drive

2009-06-07T14:09:00.001-07:00

A youth organization in the northern district of Rumphi, Youth Net and Counseling (Yoneco) has trained 42 community based Educators to conduct voter education and act as monitors during the May 19 elections.

Yoneco's administration officer Stella Mpina says the CBE's will be deployed across the district to raise awareness on the electoral process.

"We believe that a well- informed public on electoral issues would help in ensuring free, fair and credible elections", she said.

Rumphi is among several districts in the northern region where people have been complaining about lack of civic education on electoral process from the accredited NGOs.

Robert Chirwa a vendor told AEP that he is among those who still don't know how to cast a vote.

"It will be my first time to vote but I tell you don't know what I am supposed to do on the polling day". -AEP

Mvula, Kaliati Debate Policies

2009-06-07T14:08:00.001-07:00

UDF Director of Research Humphrey Mvula and DPP's Director of Women Patricia Kaliati were on Sunday pitched side by side to debate over their respective party manifestos at Civic Centers in Blantyre.

Electoral Commission EC organized the debate to offer an opportunity to parties contesting in next week's elections to sale their manifestos to the public.

When asked to share what UDF has planned on education, Mvula said apart from removing tuition fees for public secondary schools if voted into government the party would remove English as a yard stick for students to enter the University of Malawi.

The UDF manifesto proposes a review of University Entrance Examination criteria to enable those students who get a pass in English at O-levels to access tertiary education. But Kaliati observed that the proposal has the potential to kill or lower education standards in the country.

SOURCE: Daily Times 12 May 12, 2009

PPM/DPP Alliance Strong – Katsonga

2009-06-07T14:07:00.003-07:00

President of people's Progressive Movement PPM Mark Katsonga Phiri says the alliance between ruling Democratic Progressive Party DPP and was still solid despite holding campaign rallies independently.

Katsonga said this during in Blantyre yesterday. He also revealed that the memorandum of understanding MOU for the two parties alliance was not yet finalized.

However, Katsonga said the delay in completing the MOU was not an issue to his party because the nation heard both sides confirming the alliance.

SOURCE: Daily Times 12 May 12, 2009

Close Nkando Police- Kaliati

2009-06-07T14:07:00.001-07:00

The arrest of two supporters for DDP candidate for Mulanje West Patricia Kaliati on Thursday, was a reason enough for her to walk over 100 meters barefoot to Nkando Police Unit the following day to secure their unconditional release.

She also demanded closure of the facility arguing that it not serving the best interest of the area.

Southern region police spokesman Dave Chingwalu on Sunday confirmed the development but refused to comment on the minister's demand.

Kaliati who is also Minister of Information and Civic Education on Monday confirmed she ordered the release of Kolesi John, 48 and Patrick Mwahiwa, 47 who were charged with destruction of campaign materials for her rival John Saini, an independent candidate.

Nkando Police said they arrested the two following a complaint that they removed Saini's campaign materials at a political rally venue.

The police said an angry Kaliati walked to the unit on Friday and demanded the release of the suspects or be locked up in their place.

"They released the two but the major concern is that she is interfering too much into the operations and administrative issues of the police", said the source.

On the same Friday, she drove her official vehicle to Mulanje Police Station where she parked it and threw its key at a senior police officer and demanded that Nkando Police Station be closed or she would not collect the car.

But her driver collected the vehicle on Sunday in the company of district assembly officials. Kaliati told The Nation on Sunday she did not like the way police officers at Nkando handled suspect's case and that is why she dumped her vehicle at Mulanje Police Station.

"I have indeed asked the Mulanje Police officer in charge to close down the unit. It is not serving us properly", said Kaliati.

She claimed the Saini's supporters instead of hers deserved to be arrested for pulling down DPP campaign materials.

Source- Nation, Tuesday 12 May 2009

MCP to Establish Own Tally Centre

2009-06-07T14:05:00.001-07:00

Despite President Bingu wa Mutharika objection to have parallel tally centre, MCP has announced it will establish one to prevent rigging in the forthcoming elections.

MCP published on its website that it intends to deploy monitors in all polling stations through out the country to aid it in the exercise.

MCP spokesperson Ishmael Chafukira said in an interview on Sunday his party does not want a repeat of the May 2004 scenario where he claimed the presidential elections rightful winner John Tembo was robbed of victory.

Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Anastasia Msosa said in an interview the electoral body did not receive any communication from MCP hence cannot comment on the matter.

Chafukira, who described this year's elections as critical, said the party was not required to inform the commission, arguing they were only putting up mechanism to ensure that their votes are not stolen.

"We know what is happening and we don't want to take chances", he said.

MCP said their tally centre will collect the data that will be compared to EC's official results, adding this is an international practice.

The DPP spoke against the tally centre accusing the opposition that supported the idea of trying to bring confusion on the outcome of the official results.

Source- Nation, Tuesday 12 May 2009

Muluzi Convoy Stoned

2009-06-07T14:03:00.001-07:00

A convoy carrying former president Bakili Muluzi was yesterday stoned somewhere around Goliati where he was scheduled to talk to supporters on a whistle stop to Mulanje.

UDF Alliance Publicist Humphrey Mvula confirmed the attack but said Muluzi escaped unhurt.

"It was a few lead vehicles that were damaged but his was not, fortunately," he said.

Coincidentally, Goliati is the home of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mvula alleged it was supporters of Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that attacked the convoy,

But DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba dubbed the allegations UDF tricks.

The incident comes two days after a convoy carrying Mutharika was stoned in Lilongwe.

Mutharika's convoy was attacked Saturday afternoon at Nathenje by students of Double Vision Private School as he was on a whistle stop tour from Blantyre.

Following the incident, the police moved in to arrest two teaches and four students. While the teachers were released the same day, the students were still in custody until Monday.

Muluzi, nonetheless, proceeded to hold a rally in Mulanje.

But reacting to DPP connection, Ntaba said in an interview the party would make its position clear after investigations.

"But what I can say is that DPP is not a violent party and that should be on put on record. We know UDF tricks. They can put on DPP T- shirts and deliberately stone their own vehicle" he said.

Southern REGION Police spokesperson Davie Chingwalu said he was not officially informed of the incident.

"Apart from that, the police were not aware that the former president is conducting a whistle stop tour, not even the DC in Thyolo " he said.

Muluzi first stopped at Bvumbwe and Goliati was supposed to be his second stop, Muluzi is supporting MCP Presidential candidate John Tembo in the Tuesday elections.

Source: Daily Times, April 13, 2009

MCP, UDF Invade Cargo Terminal

2009-06-07T14:02:00.001-07:00

MCP and UDF officials were the centre of attraction at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe yesterday when they besieged the cargo terminal and ordered Electoral Commission (EC) officials to open boxes they suspected contained extra ballot papers for rigging.

Chief elections officer David Bandawe was forced to break the seals and open the boxes which contained templates for blind voters and not extra ballot as suspected.

Arriving as early as 7am at cargo terminal, UDF officials led by Charlie Daudi claimed boxes containing ballot papers arrived on Tuesday. He said some people queried the agent who was trying to clear consignment but later disappeared.

Said Daudi: "That raised suspicion as to why someone should run away. Again, only last week we had SDV clearing the ballot papers and this time they used a different agency (CAS Freight). Why should the commission use different agents for the same good?"

Bandawe said this was the first time they allowed parties to oversee the ballot distribution exercise. He appealed for patience and trust for the commission to do its work.

"CAS Freight are also our clearing agents. I am not sure where this is coming from. We placed the order late," said Bandawe.

He took media and party representatives into the warehouse and ordered the 237 kg package to be opened for inspection by both Malawi Revenue Authority officials and the political parties.

Regional Elections Officer Deverson Makwete who arrived at the airport the same time as MCP's Director of Elections Joseph Njobvuyalema and director of research Lingson Belekanyama, was booed by party officials when he asked them if he needed to inform them " when we buy pens."

In an interview later Njobvuyalema said the commission was supposed to inform them of any importation of election-related materials to avoid raising suspicion.

"We are approaching the finishing line. We have consulted each other all the way and we need to be transparent. We were surprised when we received a report that someone was trying to clear cargo for the commission", he said.

The boxes according to Bandawe had 8, 000 templates for all polling centers in the country which visually impaired people will use when voting.

Yesterday's incident follows similar drama last Thursday night at the same airport when MCP placed a seal number 366681 at the entrance leading to the ADL warehouse where ballot papers for the May 19 elections are being kept. This incident also led to arguments with police.

Source: The Nation May 14, 2009

Ballot Distribution Starts

2009-06-07T14:01:00.001-07:00

The electoral Commission yesterday started distribution of polling materials to all districts and assured that materials will reach all stations by the voting day on Tuesday.

The commission, political parties' representatives the media and international observers converged on ADL warehouse at Kamuzu International airport (KIA) to witness the dispatch of ballots which will give Malawians a fourth chance to elect their legislative representatives and president since the advent of multiparty politics in 1994.

Chief elections officer David Bandawe said the ballots were scheduled to go to each district from the airport.

"The district commissioners are expected to ensure that they secure them and we will provide transport for the ballots to all the voting centers. We are sure the process will be by 18^th, said Bandawe.

Source: Nation May 14, 2009

Hoax Delays Ballot Dispatch

2009-06-07T14:00:00.001-07:00

Opposition politicians yesterday delayed the process of distributing ballot papers and other election materials from Lilongwe to other districts because they were busy investigating reports that the DPP has acquired extra ballots for rigging.

But the said ballots turned out to be templates for the blind, materials that would aid the blind on how to elect the president and MP in next Tuesday's polls.

The Electoral Commission EC had bought the 4,000 templates for presidential polls and another 6,000 for parliamentary polls, which arrived Tuesday afternoon at Kamuzu International Airport {Kia}, forcing the opposition to think DPP had printed extra papers for rigging.

Some private radio Stations Tuesday night announced the issue as a news item.

But one of the election observers, who was at the airport Wycliff Masoo and is director of Research and Documentations for Malawi Human Rights Commission {MHRC}, said in an interview his organization had verified that no extra ballots landed at Kia.

" We came here after hearing that another consignment of ballot papers had landed but when we arrived, we verified and discovered that these were items for the blind," he said.

MCP Director of Elections Joseph Njobvuyalema said in a separate interview the party had also verified and confirmed that the cargo for the commission was indeed templates for the blind and not ballots for the DPP.

"We were full of suspicion and we were concerned about this, MCP is a major stakeholder in the elections, therefore, the commission should always inform us of what is happening.

" They did not tell us that the templates for the blind were coming on Tuesday hence this mix up" said Njobvuyalema.

He said EC has always told them every stage of the electoral process, including procurement and printing of ballot papers but they were surprised the commission did not inform them about the coming in of the templates, which people mistook for ballots.

"Any future transactions should be transparent. The situation interms of election is excessively delicate. They should be exceptionally transparent as we get to May 19, until we get the votes, until we announce the results," he said.

Damasio Shuma, a representative of the ruling DPP, said his party was surprised with the reports of extra ballots.

He said although EC did not inform DPP about the coming of the templates, the party officials were not suspicious because they have got all the trust in the electoral body.

Chief Elections Officer David Bandawe said the commission was a transparent organization and was surprised by the allegations of extra ballot papers for the DPP.

"We do our things transparently, but we thought the coming of the templates was not an issue that we could even tell the parties, Sometimes we should work on trust," he urged.

He said each center would get two templates for the blind, one each for presidential and parliamentary elections.

After the wrangles were over, the distribution of ballot papers started in earnest at around midday yesterday with military and government trucks ferrying the materials to districts.

The politicians were satisfied with the security at the warehouse because the seals put on the doors last Wednesday were intact and the room was not tampered with.

Source: Daily Times, 14 May 2009

HRCC Hails Losers

2009-06-07T13:59:00.001-07:00

A local human rights NGO the Human Rights Consultative Commitee (HRCC) has commended presidential aspirants who have conceded deafeat saying they have demonstrated a spirit of statesmanship.

About three presidential aspirants have so far accepted defeat ahead of the the announcement of the final results. They are Stanely Masauli presidentantial condidate for Republican Party, James Nyondo an Independent presidential candidate and Kamuzu Chiwambo of People's Transformation Party. Theformer president whos is also the chairman of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and partner in the UDF/ MCP Coalition Bakili Muluzi has also congratulated Bingu wa Mutharika. In press statement HRCC says such attitude is 'critical to the nurturing of our democray'. It says it expect the newly formed government to deliver the promises it has made. "Elections have come and gone but all of us still remain Malawi regardless of political wins or losses suffered"reads the statement in part.
AEP

Parties silent on speaker, as DPP names Chimunthu Banda

2009-06-07T05:24:00.001-07:00

The United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are yet to name people they want to contest on the position of Speaker of Parliament.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has already earmarked former Leader of the House Henry Chimunthu Banda.

UDF spokesperson, Rob Jamieson, and his MCP counterpart, acting publicity secretary Nancy Tembo, could not be drawn to comment on the parties' candidates.

Observers have said, however, it would be less likely for the two opposition parties to field contestants for the position, as they were already disadvantaged by numbers.

The DPP has 114 parliamentarians- a figure that has since grown to over 143 as independent candidates jump their neutral ship to join hands with the party- while the MCP and UDF have 26 and 16 MPs, respectively.

Chimunthu Banda, who is also DPP secretary general, confirmed the development he had been earmarked by his party for the position of speaker.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Another Era for Malawi Parliament

2009-06-02T04:01:00.001-07:00

Malawi's newly elected MPs have been sworn in Monday, a development that nearly failed for some, or culminates into the manifestation of a long time dream for many.

For Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Felix Njawala, Edwin Banda, Billy Kaunda, and others whose victories are being contested at the High Court, the ceremony came as second relief. The High Court sitting in Blantyre had judged ruled on Sunday, through Judge Joseph Mwanyungwa, that the injunction that aggrieved MPs were seeking to stop the swearing in ceremony, would be costly to democracy of representation as well constituents.

That was timely relief to triumphant MPs, as confirmed by Vuwa-Kaunda. He said he was happy that he would, again, represent his Nkhatabay constituents, and that Monday would remain a memorable day to him.

"I am over the moon. It doesn't get better than this because I think this will be one of the best parliaments in Malawi," said Vuwa-Kaunda.

Even for those who did not have to face court injunctions, the day was memorable as they fought a tough and hard tick campaign to come out of the process unbruised and unscathed.

That mood was well-summed up by Catherine Gotani Hara. She said campaigning was not easy.

"Only that I have always wanted to become MP. And I fought for it the hard way. I look forward to a good parliament, with understanding and reasonable legislators," said Gotani Hara, MP for Mzimba North East.

She described her taking of office as "the best moment in my life" and hoped that she will represent Malawian women well.

Otria Moyo Jere for Kasungu West said the swearing in ceremony was like another era ushered for Malawi, "an era of development and more development. A term of office of positive contributions from MPs", but one that ought to be taken as learning process as well.

Their was some nervousness as the MPs each went to the podium to say the words that break or unbreak. And a smile afterwards. At least until March 20, 2014 when, according to the law, the new parliament will be old enough to retire, or seek re-election.

AEP/ Richard Chirombo

High court says swearing in can go on

2009-06-01T07:20:00.001-07:00

The High Court, sitting in Blantyre Sunday, has directed that the swearing in ceremony of newly elected MPs be proceeded in Lilongwe today, quashing grievances from dissatisfied contestants who lost during the May 19 elections.

The MPs, led by Ralph Mhone of Nkhata bay Central constituency, wanted the court to restrain government from going ahead with the swearing in ceremony, citing irregularities in their constituencies.

But High Court Judge Joseph Manyungwa, said doing so would deny constituents fair representation in parliament, adding there would be an opportunity for the discontented MPs to present their substantive matters- instead of halting the ceremony.

This also means other applications for interlocutory injunctions sought by former Deputy Transport Minister Rashid Gaffar and Jean Kamphale- who contested and lost in Blantyre Kabula- and Hetherwick Ntaba, DPPs spokesperson, have fallen by the wayside also.

New MPs are being sworn in today in Lilongwe.

AEP/richard chirombo

Veteran UDF member resigns

2009-05-29T08:32:00.001-07:00

Working United Democratic Front (UDF) executive committee member, Harry Thomson, has announced his resignation from active politics.

Thomson, who has served UDF for 17 years and stood for parliament in Chikwawa North, said his resignation is not related to the results of the may19 elections.

Neither is it related to his failure in Chikwawa North, he said.

"It is based on principal. I want to give chance to young blood," said Thomson.

UDF National Chairman, Bakili Muluzi, said last week the party was now strategizing on having young blood.

Muluzi, who congratulated Bingu wa Mutharika well before announcement of electoral results by the Electoral Commission, has since withdrawn his appeal over the eligibility of a president who has already served his two constitutional years and wants to come back. The Malawi constitution provides for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Thomson said he has retired a happy man, having seen the UDF grow. He declined to comment on why he had retired a "happy man" when the UDF had performed miserably in the elections.

But UDF spokesperson, Robbie Jammieson, has called for some discussions over Thomson's decision saying- if it were an issue of taking a breather by Thomson- the party was ready to give him some "three months" rest- other than accept his decision to quit altogether.

Thomson has recently become too closer to Muluzi, to the effect that they have been seen to travel in one vehicle during public meetings, including at the inauguration ceremony of Bingu wa Mutharika.

AEP/richard chirombo

Veteran UDF member resigns

2009-05-29T08:30:00.001-07:00

Working United Democratic Front (UDF) executive committee member, Harry Thomson, has announced his resignation from active politics.

Thomson, who has served UDF for 17 years and stood for parliament in Chikwawa North, said his resignation is not related to the results of the may19 elections.

Neither is it related to his failure in Chikwawa North, he said.

"It is based on principal. I want to give chance to young blood," said Thomson.

UDF National Chairman, Bakili Muluzi, said last week the party was now strategizing on having young blood.

Thomson said he has retired a happy man, having seen the UDF grow. He declined to comment on why he had retired a "happy man" when the UDF had performed miserably in the elections.

We will support govt.: general chorus after Malawi elections

2009-05-29T08:29:00.001-07:00

At first, the dominant talk was about going to the State House. Some politicians even went to the extent of calling president Bingu wa Mutharika a failure who had let the pockets of the people run dry because of his stringent economic policies.

Now, after the May 19 elections, so many things have changed. Not only in the shape of national politics once dominated by regionalism and nepotism. Even the language of, hither to, 'unappreciative' politicians.

Almost every political party in Malawi- including the United Democratic Front (UDF), Maravi People's Party- are talking about supporting Mutharika, a language that has become synonymous with Mutharika's overwhelming 50.7 per cent national vote victory over opposition joint Malawi Congress Party's ( MCP) and UDF presidential candidate John Tembo.

UDF spokesperson, Robbie Jammieson, said the party would now support government, but not blindly. Sentiments shared by MPP, whose President Uladi Mussa says he, too, will support Mutharika's government.

Several other independent MPs have also said they will support government, raising fears such sentiments could be making of a dictatorship.

Chancellor College political scientist, Blessings Chinsinga, says the development could both be a blessing and recipe for disaster.

"If the DPP uses its majority well, it will be a blessing. If it will misuse it, it will be a disaster," he said.

MPP president, Uladi Mussa, has defended his decision to support government, saying he had all along supported it- even during the intense heat of the last five years.

The MCP is, however, divided, with some MPs like Ishmael Chafukira saying they would support government while party president Tembo says it would be too early before completion of his court case. He is disputing the results of the polls citing "massive irregularities".

AEP/richard chirombo

Tembo says appealing elections’ results for posterity

2009-05-28T05:54:00.003-07:00

Joint Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidate, John Tembo, has revealed the reasons for his appeal to the High Court, disputing results of the May19 presidential elections, saying he was doing it for the sake of posterity.

This follows concerns from civil society organizations and political commentators that Tembo's stand was contrary to voters' wishes, as seen in their over-whelming votes for Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate, Bingu wa Mutharika.

Sentiments also echoed by religious leaders, who, through the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) have implored Tembo to withdraw his sentiments the polls were "massively rigged", as it went against the "spirit of Malawians".

But Tembo has hit back: "Let religious leaders concentrate on church issues and not politics. We are doing this (going to court) for the sake of our posterity. If we have lost because of questionable mistakes, we must ensure that such a thing doesn't happen again in future. That is our motivation," said Tembo.

Tembo also said he would be a happy man once the courts make their judgment over the conduct of the polls, which he said left "a lot to be desired".

"Our action does not mean we are against the President, or whoever. It simply means we do not access the verdict of a voting system that was not fair," said Tembo.

Tembo now faces opposition from his own party, with some members of the national executive committee asking him to resign, while others are saying it was too early because no postmortem of the May19 elections has been carried out by the party yet. Yet others have chosen to keep their cards close to their chest.

Tembo wields too much power in the MCP that whoever opposes him surely goes.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Mutharika thanks voters

2009-05-28T05:54:00.001-07:00

By Richard Chirombo/AEP

President Bingu wa Mutharika has gone back to national business, thanking voters for voting for his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) MPs and him as president.

Mutharika was in Blantyre and Thyolo, his home district yesterday, where he joked over the fall of the United Democratic Front and MCP, as passing budgets would no longer be a problem now.

"The UDF is dead; the MCP is dead. It is time for progressive politics," said Mutharika, who bemoaned the conduct of opposition MPs during the past five years.

"They frustrated national development. They wanted nothing good for this country. Now things have changed, and I want to thank you for that," he reiterated at each meeting yesterday.

Massive turnout at Bingu's inauguration

2009-05-22T01:31:00.001-07:00

Large crowds have turned up at Kamuzu Stadium to witness the inauguration of president-elect, Bingu wa Mutharika of the Republic of Malawi. He triumphed over MCP's John Tembo and five other candidates. Dr Mutharika will shortly arrive at Kamuzu Stadium where he will be sworn in for a second term in office.

The Malawi Electoral Commision last night confirmed him as the victor in the recent general elections. Several Heads of State are in Malawi to witness the event. Most notable among them are Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), King Mswati (Swaziland) and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania).

AEP

From Tally to Party Centre

2009-05-21T22:58:00.001-07:00

Kwacha Conference Centre in Blantyre is renowned for hosting marriage or engagements events. But never when National Elections results are being tallied within the vast stomach of this magnificent hall also known as COMESA.

The hall has been performing the later task from Tuesday, May19,2009 following Malawi's historic fourth elections since the re-advent of multiparty politics in 1994. Pitied against each other were John Tembo, the joint Malawi Congress Party/United Democratic Front presidential candidate and Bingu wa Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

It is Bingu who has triumphed by landing an overwhelming 2,730,630 slide against Tembo's 1,270,057. This was despite that full results were not in from some 10 constituencies in Machinga, Phalombe, Blantyre, among other areas.

But the result had to take patience and endurance as observers and media personnel were kept waiting for the results, as electoral staff worked 24/7 not to miss the simplest detail. It also had to take 01:08am, the time it took EC chairperson, Justice Anastasia Msosa, to declare Mutharika the overall winner.

This sent a cross section of DPP supporters gathered in the room into some sort of temporary madness, as they started jubilating and sinsing just as Msosa was to make the all-important announcement.

It had to take Chief Elections Officer, David Bandawe, to call the jubilant supporters to order before Msosa announced the common knowledge that Mutharika had carried the day.

Critics had said before announcent of the results listeners outside COMESA were more informed than those within (the tally centre) as they were kept abreast of current voting statistics almost every minute through unofficial radio results.

Former president, Bakili Muluzi's son Atupele, also witnessed the declaration of the presidency of Mutharika, whom his father had already congratulated earlier on.

Seven candidates contested in the presidential election. They are Mutharika, 2,730,630; Kamuzu Chibambo of Peoples Transformation Party 31,960; Loveness Gondwe of the New Rainbow Alliance 29,705; Stanly Masauli (Republican Party) 31,303; Alliance for Democracy's Dindi Gowa Nyasulu, 19,024; and independent presidential candidate James Nyondo, 25,171 votes.

Jubilant DPP supporters then turned the tally centre into what it is known for- intertainment, when they danced 'Sendela' and other party songs.

The way the music came, it must have been well prepared.

AEP/richard chirombo

Observers Endorse The General Elections As Free, Fair

2009-05-21T12:32:00.001-07:00

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

MEC OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING RESULTS NOW

2009-05-21T03:23:00.001-07:00

Chairperson of MEC is now making announcement. Justice Anastasia says they have decided to dwell on the presidential results for now. She says that the rest of the results are coming in fast to the National Results Centre. The final results are expected before end of Thursday.

So far in the announced consituencies, Bingu wa Mutharika of the DPP is leading.

Details to follow later

AEP

MEC YET TO PROVIDE RESULTS

2009-05-21T02:39:00.001-07:00

Anxiety reigns at the National Results Centre, Comesa Hall in Blantyre as the nation expects to hear offcial results of the Tuesday polls.

Journalists from various media houses are heard announcing and publishing unofficial results, a development which somehow is helping to contribute reducing lack of information to the nation.The Malawi Electoral Commission is was expected to announce the the next batch of results last night but they postponed to 10 am this Thursday. However it is clear that the commission is still not ready to announce the results which unofficially give a lead to DPP.

Meanwhile calm remains in Malawi as people follow the unofficial results being aired on various radio stations.

The AEP team is yet to establish when the inauguration ceremony for the president may take place.

AEP

Malawi Electoral Support Network Issues Interim Statement on Malawi Elections 2009

2009-05-21T02:12:00.001-07:00

Malawi Electoral Support Network Issues Interim Statement

Editors Note: Below is a full interim statement by the Malawi Electoral Support Network under which this African Elections Project in Malawi is working under.

MALAWI ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK
INTERIM STATEMENT ON THE 2009 MALAWI PRESIDENTIAL AND
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
20 May 2009, COMESA Hall, Blantyre

INTRODUCTION
Malawi Election Support Network (MESN) is a coalition of 75 civil society organisations dedicated to ensuring that
national elections are held in a credible and transparent manner. The network was formed in 2003, to harmonise and
coordinate civil society's role in the electoral process, such as joint planning, implementation and standardisation of
materials. In the run up to the 2009 Elections, with the objective of promoting free, fair and credible elections, MESN
and its member organisations undertook various activities in support of the electoral process, including civic and voter
education and monitoring the pre-election period.

The following is an interim statement on the election process up to the afternoon of 20 May 2009. This statement is
preliminary in nature as MESN recognises that the Electoral Commission (EC) has not completed its tabulation of the
official results. For polling day, MESN deployed 800 monitors to a random statistical sample of polling streams
throughout the country, supported by 193 constituency supervisors. MESN also deployed 486 other monitors. The
observations presented below therefore are based on a systematic election-day observation process. MESN's
methodology is explained fully at the end of this statement.

MESN will complete its analysis of voting results and will comment on the official election results when they
are announced by the EC. The next MESN statement is therefore anticipated by Friday, 22 May 2009.

SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS

Election Day was peaceful, and Malawi's voters turned out in great numbers. Despite the challenges with the voters'
register and insufficient voter education, the voting process went smoothly. However, there were some problems on
election day and even more so in the pre-election period.

Ballot secrecy was generally secured throughout the country, and reconciliation of ballots used at polling streams went
well. Monitors from various parties were present at polling streams and were able to witness and endorsed the count.
However, complaints by political parties and candidates were lodged at a fair number of polling streams distributed
relatively evenly around the country. Public posting of results was not accomplished in a few places.

A significant number of voters' names did not appear on the voter registers at the polling streams, which prompted the
Electoral Commission (EC) to make a public announcement concerning their ability to vote; nonetheless, it is impossible
to determine how many of these people did not return to the polls, thus being disenfranchised.

There were logistical problems on Election Day. In some instances polling streams opened late, however this did not
appear to hinder the process. Though the provision of generators and some lighting was an improvement over the past,
the counting process in many locations went very late into the night, and in some instances the counting of voting
streams was mingled together, contrary to the set procedures.

MESN applauds Malawians for the expression of their patriotism in this election and their evident desire to entrench
democratic values. MESN appreciates the EC's efforts to properly conduct the elections. MESN also appreciates the
support of the regional and international community for this process.

PRE-ELECTION PERIOD
While the voter registration process was extended several times in order to include eligible voters and other positive
steps were taken, the pre-election environment fell short of the minimum conditions outlined in the SADC Principles and
Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections in several important respects. In particular, concern remained about the
heightened level of political tension between the ruling party and opposition and the lack of confidence in certain
quarters of the voting public as well as the opposition concerning the impartiality and effectiveness of the EC.
The question concerning the candidacy of Bakili Muluzi was not resolved until the last minute which added to the
uncertainty of the environment.

The voter registration process was marred by irregularities ranging from broken equipment, inadequately trained staff,
the late delivery of materials to cite a few examples. Some eligible voters were thus denied an opportunity to register.
Malawi's Constitution guarantees the right to equal participation at all levels which is in tandem with SADC and African
Union (AU) declarations on gender and development. In addition, this year, the pre-election environment was marked by
the NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) 50-50 Campaign, which aimed to augment the number of women
candidates in the 2009 General Elections. In this election 237 female candidates contested in parliamentary races
across the country, a significant improvement from past elections. MESN however noted that political parties to mostly
supported male candidates. MESN also noted that many women participated in the election as polling staff and
monitors.

Equitable access by the political parties and candidates to the media, as well as media bias particularly the public
media, was a serious problem in this election. Coverage by the state media of the campaign period was skewed in
favour of the ruling party. This was compounded by the failure of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority
(MACRA) to enforce media related guidelines on both electronic and print media engaging in unprofessional behaviour.
These problems provide an unfair advantage for the ruling party of the day. Further, despite of the increasing number of
privately owned radio streams and newspapers, national coverage remains a challenge. This negatively affected voters'
access to information concerning the election.

Although MESN was unable to systematically observe the abuse of state resources, it noted from media reports and
other sources that public funding was used by political parties to printing campaign materials. MESN further noted the
use of public vehicles used to ferry political party supporters during the campaign period.

Civic and voter education was hampered by bureaucratic disbursement processes of the joint donor basket which
affected civil society's ability to provide adequate and timely information to voters.

It must be emphasized that many of these problems also occurred in the 1999 and 2004 elections, as observed by
MESN and the Church-NGO Consortium and Public Affairs Committee (PAC) before it. It is therefore critical to prevent
them from becoming entrenched negative practises.

ELECTION DAY
These findings are based on monitor reports from a representative sample of polling streams from across Malawi. At
this time, 73% of the sample has reported. MESN continues to capture data and will update this information as more
reports are received.

Set Up and Opening of Polling Streams
Across Malawi, MESN monitors reported that at the opening 98% of polling streams had no or minor problems and only
2% had major problems that affected the rights of citizens' to vote. In approximately 5% polling streams monitored,
MESN monitors were initially barred because they were not on the EC list or the list was not available. However, after
consultations with election staff at the district level, almost all were eventually allowed to monitor.

Voting Process
The voting process generally took place without serious problems. Nonetheless, MESN monitors reported that in 20% of
polling streams some or many voters were unable to find their names on the register. Of those who were unable to find
their names on the register, approximately 28% were not permitted to vote even though they presented voter
registration certificates.

In addition, there were a number of polling streams where minor problems were reported. For instance, in 9% of polling
streams monitored ballot papers ran out. Ink ran out in 10% of polling stations.

Closing of Polling Streams and the Counting Process
The closing of polling streams and the counting process largely took place without major problems. According to monitor
reports some polling streams experienced problems with lighting during the counting process caused by generators
lacking fuel or breaking down. Across the country, the counting process was very slow and lasted long into the night. In
some cases counting of ballots from streams was merged contrary to EC procedures.

Tabulation of Results
MESN will continue to gather and analyse information from the random statistical sample and will comment upon the
EC's official results which are expected by Friday.

MESN'S ELECTION DAY METHODOLOGY
Unlike in previous elections when MESN's monitors were deployed to all polling centres, MESN employed a statistically
based monitoring (SBM) method to collect information on the conduct of polls. In this effort, MESN deployed more than
800 well-trained monitors to observe the 2009 Elections all using MESN forms designed to monitor key elements of the
Election Day process. These monitors were supported by 193 constituency supervisors. In addition, MESN members
also deployed 386 monitors to constituency returning offices and 100 mobile monitors at district level.

Through the SBM exercise, information on the setting up of polling streams, voting, closing of polling streams, and
counting of the Presidential Election ballots was rapidly collected and transmitted from a random, nationally
representative sample of polling streams across Malawi. This methodology allowed MESN to conduct a rigorous and
systematic observation throughout the country and to base its observations on highly accurate findings.

CONCLUSION
MESN thanks the EC and its staff at all levels for its extraordinary cooperation with MESN's monitoring efforts. MESN
appeals to all Malawians to remain calm and to be patient as they await the final result of the elections.

Signed: _____________________________
___________________________
Aloisious A.C Nthenda, Chairperson
Steve Duwa – Publicity Secretary
For further information contact :
Aloisious A.C Nthenda, Chairperson – MESN Board Chariperson - Cell: +265 8 828 262
Steve Duwa – Publicity Secretary - +265 8 88644813
Malawi Election Support Network
Box 32160, Chichiri, BLANTYRE 3
Tel: +265 1 842 843 or Email: mesnsecretariate@gmail.com

Bingu builds on lead in latest poll results

2009-05-20T22:25:00.001-07:00

Latest electoral results from 20 constituencies indicate that Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, Bingu wa Mutharika, continues to consolidate his earlier lead.
Results announced by Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Anastasia Msosa, show that, out of 20 constituencies tallied, Mutharika was convincingly leading in 19 constituencies while John Tembo of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)/United Democratic Front alliance beat Mutharika to the votes in Mangochi Central constituency.
In Mangochi Central, Tembo got 22, 202 votes against Mutharika's 10,172 , the only landslide victory recorded by the MCP/UDF alliance torch-bearer. Mangochi is part of UDF green belt.
Results for Mulanje Central, Chiradzulu South, Mulanje North, Ntchisi North, Chiradzulu North, Chiradzulu East, Chiradzulu West, Kasungu North East, Chikwawa North, Blantyre Kabula, Mwanza Central, among other areas, have seen Mutharika create a 10,000 votes leads on average.
In Mulanje West, for instance, the DPP candidate got 16, 390 votes aginst Tembo's 2608; in Blantyre City South 29, 124 against the UDF/MCP candidate's 6, 838; while in Blantyre Bangwe results indicate he got 14, 246 votes against Tembo's 4320.
In Mwanza West, Mutharika got 12, 588 votes against his main contender's 1, 088 ballots. Blantyre South West registered similar results, Mutharika getting 18, 031 against Tembo's 3, 163- results replicated in Chikwawa North, where Mutharika has 15, 205 against Tembo's 1, 565 votes.
According to Msosa, next results' announcement comes at 11:00pm.
Malawians are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the results, against a background Tembo has threatened not to accept poll results citing what he terms as 'electoral irregularities'.

AEP

Vote counting process very slow-MESN

2009-05-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

Malawi Election Support Network (MESN) has said the counting process of the votes was very slow across the country compared to the previous elections.
According to MESN interim statement on the 2009 Presidential and Parliamentary elections released this afternoon, counting for the votes in some areas delayed up to late in the night due to lack of fuel in the generators which were being used or due to technical faults.
This might be a contributing factor to the delays by Malawi Electoral Commission in releasing the results.
So far MEC has only announced results from 1% of the total votes and other results are expected at 7 P.M.
However MESN says it will continue to gather and analyze information from the random statistical sample and will make its official comment on the results when MEC will officially announce the result

AEP

Election Results Twenty Four hours after the close of polls

2009-05-20T09:26:00.001-07:00

Twenty Four hours after the close of polls in Malawi's presidential and Parliamentary Election the official statistics from the Electoral Commission website indicate that with results from 60 out of 3,897 polling stations, BINGU's (DPP) is leading: 34,585 followed by CHIBAMBO Kamuzu Walter (PETRA) 468; GONDWE Loveness (Ms) (NARC) 445;MASAULI Stanley Edingtone (RP) 463;NYASULU Gowa Dindi (AFORD) 202;NYONDO James Mbowe (INDEPENDENT) 307;TEMBO John Zenas Ungapake (MCP) 10,954

Release Journalists Detained During Malawi Presidential Election- Committee to Protect Journalists

2009-05-20T08:22:00.001-07:00

Authorities in Malawi should immediately release three journalists arrested today in a police raid on an opposition radio station, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. The country is holding general elections between today and Thursday.

The 4 a.m. raid targeted Joy Radio, a station owned by former president and opposition leader Bakili Muluzi, in the commercial city of Blantyre. According to the Media Institute of Southern Africa, journalists from the station were picked up in relation to the rebroadcast of a 2008 political program contradicting government claims that the country's food supply was secure.

During the raid, police took into custody presenters Aubrey Nazombe and Mary Chande Mhone, and technician Abdul Razak Telela, on accusations of broadcasting campaign material, according to Joy Radio lawyer Ralph Kasambara. The three are being held at Blantyre police station, but have not been formally charged, he said. Meanwhile, police have forbidden the station from airing news coverage, according to the Media Institute. National Police spokesman Willie Mwaluka did not return CPJ's calls for comment.

"We condemn the silencing of Joy Radio and effective ban on its election coverage imposed by police," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Tom Rhodes. "The three employees should be released immediately and the station allowed to resume news broadcasting."

Joy Radio has been the target of harassment for its political coverage in recent years, according to CPJ research. The station has been involved in a protracted court battle with the government-controlled Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority over its broadcast license. It has also been the target of intimidation and censorship.

President Bingu Wa Mutharika, widely credited with improving the poor, landlocked nation's food security and leading one of the world's fast-growing economies, is seeking a second five-year term, according to international news reports.

Mutharika seen leading while Masauli accepts defeat

2009-05-20T02:51:00.001-07:00

Partial Electoral Commission (EC) results announced at 10:30am today show Bingu wa Mutharika, presidential candidate for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the May 19 elections, leading against hottest contender John Tembo.

Results from nine constituencies show that Mutharika has made some political strides into the Central region, largely considered the main stay of Tembo's Malawi Congress Party (MCP), with results for Mchinji South West giving the DPP candidate 480 votes against Tembo's 218.

In Ntcheu South, Mutharika got 188 votes against Tembo's 107, representing a shift in voting trends for voters. Ntcheu is largely considered pro-United Democratic Front, an alliance partner to the MCP in this year's elections.

Results, announced by EC Chairperson Anastasia Msosa, further indicate Mutharika got 330 votes in Mwanza West, against Tembo's 112, while in Chikwawa North Mutharika got 354 against Tembo's 13

Tembo has, however, maintained a tight grip in his home district of Dedza, registering 780 votes against Mutharika's 303 in Dedza Central, 246 in Dedza South West against DPP's 146- a fit repeated in Mangochi Centre 9 Southern region) where he has chalked 482 against 345 for Mutharika, among other areas.

Meanwhile, Mr Stanley Masauli of the Republican Party has acknowledged defeat and says he will work with Bingu. In a letter addressed to the chairperson of the Electoral Commission and read out during the briefing, he said it is clear that so far Bingu is emerging winner and he would as well accept defeat now.

Msosa said the results were still trickling in from various constituencies and that the next update is at about 3 pm

AEP

RP concede defeat to DPP

2009-05-20T02:49:00.001-07:00

Republican Party (RP), one of the sixteen political parties that contested in the general elections has become the first party to concede defeat to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) before the official announcement from Malawi Electoral Commission on the winners.
In a letter addressed to Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Anastansia Msosa today, RP's presidential candidate Stanely Masauli said from the results released so far it is clear testimony that President Bingu wa Mutharika will return his seat and that his party will scoop the majority in the Parliamentary race.
Masauli then called upon all Malawians to focus on working together with Mutharika in developing Malawi.

AEP

Sitting President Bingu leading in Blantyre presidential results-MANA

2009-05-20T02:36:00.001-07:00

Bingu leading in Blantyre presidential results

Blantyre, May 20, MANA: Complete presidential results from all centres of Blantyre city central constituency show that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Dr Bingu wa Mutharika is leading.

According to results from the Blantyre district tally centre, Mutharika is leading with 13, 957 votes seconded by John Tembo of the Malawi Congress Party/ United Democratic Front Alliance with 4,211 votes.

New Rainbow Coalition's Loveness Gondwe came third with 98 votes, followed by New Republican Party presidential candidate, Stanley Masauli with 46 votes while People's Transformation party's Kamuzu Chibambo, Independent candidate James Nyondo and Alliance for Democracy's Dindi Goba Nyasulu got 41, 26 and 18 votes respectively.

Blantyre city central has five polling centres comprising of Ndirande Kachere, Namalimwe, Ndirande Community, Blantyre Secondary and Ndirande Matope schools.

Meanwhile, so far results from some centres in Blantyre north, Malabada, north east and south west are showing that DPP's Dr Mutharika is leading seconded by Tembo.

From Namitsitsi, Namalondwe, Mdeka, Mpanda and Chivumbwe centres in Blantyre north, Bingu got 3,100, Tembo got 2, 316, Chibambo got 46, Gondwe got 25, Masauli 22, Nyondo 22 and Nyasulu got 34 votes each.

From HHI and Ndirande hill centres of Blantyre Malabada constituency, Bingu got 2,115, Tembo got 886, Nyondo got 16,Gondwe got 13, Chibambo got 10, Nyasulu got 9 and Masauli got 8 votes.

From Blantyre North east centres of Mulomba, Likulu, Katete, Makalanga, Mlambe 1 and Namisu centres Bingu got 2.096, Tembo 1,423, Chibambo 37, Gondwe 33, Nyasulu 23, Masauli 17 and Nyondo 12 votes.

Dr Bingu has so far got the highest votes from Blantyre South west centres leading with 14,261 votes while Tembo got 2,742 votes. Gondwe got 142, Masauli got 103, Chibambo 89, Nyondo 49 and Nyasulu 42. These results are from Chilingani, Khola, Mpemba, Madziabango, Mbame, Mpachikira, Mpapa, Namende, Namkhifi, Ntonda and Nasundu centres among others.

These results are from Blantyre district tally centre and are the same results which are faxed from the centre to the main centre at Comesa hall where additions for the whole county will be made. Malawi Electoral Commission will therefore announce the official results.

MANA

Expectancy grips Malawi

2009-05-20T02:21:00.001-07:00

Malawians are anxious to know the results of the May 19 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

The Malawi Electoral Commission promised to announce partial results of yesterday's elections at 9a.m. but by 10:00am, nothing had been heard from the electoral body.

The development has left various people at the official tally centre anxious, Journalists have been conducting interviews with party officials as other observers wait patiently for the results. MEC's chairperson, Anastasia Msosa is , is expected to announce the results.

AEP

Blantyre schools fear poll aftermath

2009-05-20T02:20:00.001-07:00

Most private schools in Blantyre are closed for school today, a development some owners say is a result of their fear of post-elections' results.
A visit to private primary and secondary schools in Chileka, on the outskirts of Blantyre, Chirimba, Chemussa, Bangwe and Chilomoni revealed that students are precariously absent from classrooms.
One of the school owners interviewed, including Aims Private Schools owner Dominic Moyo, said the closure was a result of uncertainty over post election results.
Moyo said, during the 2004 parliamentary and presidential elections, for instance, some of his property got damaged by political vandals- a development that "taught me a lesson".
"You can never tell, really, what may happen next. We are just being cautious," said Moyo, who owns schools in Chileka, Bangwe and Chilomoni.
Random visits to Tione and Tafika Private schoools also revealed the same thing- schools are today closed for business in anticipation of possible violence.
One of the pupils, Patricia Gondwe from Chemussa, said they were informed on Monday there wouldn't be classes on Tuesday and Wednesday (today).
"We don't know the reason for that," said Gondwe.
AEP/Richard Chirombo

Malawi Elections 2009 : Results Expected after midnight

2009-05-19T15:16:00.001-07:00

Announcement of Official Results are expected to start after midnight Malawi time. Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commision said this during a briefing moments ago at the National Results Centre in Blantyre.

Justice Anastasia Msosa advised that it is only her organisation that can release results which people can count on. "We know there are radio stations that have already started announcing some results, but please disregard that," she warned.

Her briefing did not attract any questions-a development that indicated to her that the audience was keenly waiting for the official announcement.

AEP

Spilled ink blamed for null, void votes

2009-05-19T13:22:00.001-07:00

Spilled ink blamed for null, void votes

Counting of votes at some polling centres in Nsanje has started, with results indicating so far spilled ink could contribute towards increased numbers of null and void votes.
Results from Sankhulani, a polling centre in the district, for example, reveal discomforting results of the problem.
Out of 619 votes cast, 63 were null and void. Most of these were a result of spilled ink as voters, eager to vote before indelible voting ink dried up, messes up their ballots leaving electoral staff with no option but discard their choice.
At Mchinji district's Nkanda centre, the problem is the same as spilled ink militate against voters' choices of leaders.
There have been concerns over the level of civic education in the run up to the elections, but most organizations engaged in civic education services blamed inadequate funding for the malaise.
The Electoral Commission, however, got none of it and accused the organizations of cheating over their capacity.
It says that one of the conditions for awarding voter and civic education certificates was because of capacity. The commission most organizations joined the fray when they had nothing in their coffers, a situation that affected the quality of civic education.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Gender activists keep fingers crossed

2009-05-19T13:21:00.001-07:00

They fought a long battle, one that transcends across the building blocks of international gender instruments. They fought it the long, hard way, well before official opening of Electoral Commission's official two months campaign period.
That was ridiculous because, though they classified their battle as some sort of neutral rhetoric, they were openly campaigning for women contesting in the May19, 2009 parliamentary and presidential elections.
On Tuesday, voting day, that neutrality turned into anxiety and anticipation. At least that is what could be derived from sentiments emanating from Malawian gender rights activists.
The gender activists, who may as well be accused of changing into women rights activists for their pro-women slanting (most of the activists are also women), said on Tuesday they were keeping their fingers crossed, in the hope that some big chunk of women could pass through the public confidence-holes through to parliament.
"We are anxious about the results. We have done a lot in raising the profile of our women and now is the time to see where we stand. Let women not despair because this is just the beginning; gender disparities cannot be done away with within a year," said Emmie Chanika, chairperson for NGO-Gender Coordination Network's Permanent Committee on Women in Politics.
Chanika said she, and the network, looked forward to some landslide victory for women, though they would hold their patience until results start trickling in.
She said she was "praying hard" that what we have been fighting for the past one year- which is the attainment of gender equality in leadership positions- comes to fruition.
"However, women should realize that we can not force people to vote for them; we only reason with people. That is the reason we are anxious for the results," said Chanika.
The way she talked, it was typical of a child who had a dream and is now afraid of the reality that may unfold.
The mood was reflected by Cecilia Mussa, executive director for Gender Support Programme (GSP). GSP is one of the organizations that received financial backing to promote the cause for Malawian women.
In Ntchisi, in Ntcheu, among other districts, the talk was the same: vote women in.
About 230 women went into the battle for parliament with their eyes open, knowing fully well the extent men can go just to retain what they have- castigation, violence-instigation, and money-politics. Because of their zeal, people like Mussa now want them to stay.
"That is only natural. You don't invest in failure. We only hope that the women who joined the race for parliament should remain in the counting but we can not influence the vote. We are just waiting, hopefully," said Mussa.
Over the past 12 months, she has built the capacity of over 70 women whose faces appeared on parliamentary ballots.
Even for Emma Kaliya, NGO-GCN's chair, Chamgomo (the network coordinator) and many others, the wish was one: women, women, and more women.
One of the contesting women, Blantyre-Kabula aspiring MP Jean Kamphale, said she equally looked forward to the results but could only wait because people were the best judge.
"Much as I would have loved to declare myself MP yesterday, I can only wait. I am excited right now, and praying that things turn out positive. It will be a victory for all women in Blantyre-Kabula," said Kamphale, who was contesting as an independent candidate.
She has braved the heat of men. In September last year, a group of thugs broke into her constituency office but, luckily, she was not in the office. They then just took what belonged to her in turn, breaking some of the things. Why?
"Because one of the men I was contesting against (in a party primary election for the constituency) though it would work out to frustrate me; how wrong he was!" said Kamphale.
So, for women like her- who have braved so much to turn their dream into some semblance of reality – to end up outside the imaginary side of parliament would be like throwing the bathtub with the child.
At least the gender activists reckon.

AEP/ Richard Chirombo

Malawi Elections :Good voter turn up in Blantyre north

2009-05-19T09:36:00.001-07:00

People of Blantyre north constituency could not wait but to wake up as early as 3 am in preparation to cast their presidential and parliamentary votes, Mana has established.

Visits to Namwiri, Muonekela, Mdeka, Namatsitsi, Namvuu, Lingizi, Katete, Lilangwe and Msambamwali primary school polling centres reveal that people were excited with the elections so much that everyone wanted to be the first. When the polling staff were getting settled to open the centres at six, people had already lined up for the exercise.

"I'm very happy that I have the right to choose a president and an MP of my choice that's why I thought it wise to do it in the morning whilst I'm still fresh," said Sophia Simon of Masinde village, T/A Chigaru.

While other centres like Namwiri, Namvuu, Mdeka, Lingizi and Muonekela had a lot of people in the morning and very few as at noon, Namitsitsi, Lilangwe, Katete and Msambamwali still had long queues of voters as at 2pm.

Henderson Moyenda, National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) elections monitor stationed at Namwiri school centre pointed out that the good voter turn up shows that the people are patriotic citizens were proud of their human rights.

Blantyre north has a total of 30,796 registered voters and 17 voting centres.

MANA/JTC

Malawi Elections 2009 : Vote Counting Begins

2009-05-19T09:30:00.001-07:00

Vote Counting Begins

With a few minutes to go before the end of the voting, some polling stations have began counting votes of presidential and parliamentary results.

In Zomba City, where turnout was very high, some polling agents closed voting a few minutes to time to start counting of votes.

Police arrest voter certificate seller

2009-05-19T05:24:00.001-07:00

Police in Salima have arrested Robin Saidi for allegedly attempting to sell his voter certificate to an aspiring Member of Parliament for Salima Central constituency.
Salima Police Public Relations Officer, Gift Chitowe, confirmed the development.
Chitowe said the suspect was selling the voter certificate at K2000.
Saidi hails from Malemia village, in the area of T/A Malemia, in Mangochi district.

AEP

EC says late centres may close late

2009-05-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

The Electoral Commission (EC) says centres that opened later than 6:00am, the time slated for commencement of the voting process, may remain open till later than 6:00pm because the problems were not of the voters' making.
EC Public Relations Officer, Fegus Lipenga, said there were less than 10 centres that opened late due to various reasons including voters roll uncertainties, centres he said would be allowed to operate later than the official closing time for voting: 6:00pm.
"We have received reports that some centres opened late, some as late as 8:00am, for reasons not attributable to voters. Definitely, the presiding officers will have to make up for lost time and may close at 7:00pm or 8:00pm," said Lipenga.
Voting in most parts of Malawi has been marred by big turn outs, as voters stand eager to exercise their political rights.
They will be voting for one presidential candidate out of seven contestants. 193 members of parliament are also expected to make it to the August House, out of over 1000 that are contesting in various constituencies of the country.

AEP

VOTING COMMENCES SMOOTHLY AS MALAWIANS START VOTING

2009-05-18T23:14:00.001-07:00

Polling stations across the Malawi have open with several thousands of voters in long queues long before the 6:00am official voting time in Malawi’s presidential and Parliamentary elections।Our reporters across the country report that as early as 3:00am many voters had started lining up at various station in anticipation of an early vote।Voting generally commenced smoothly with very little hitches’, voting materials arrived on time at the several poling stations visited and voting started on time in many centres।At the Chitawira polling station in Blantyre an excited Mr। Madaritso Kazombo who was the first person to vote at around 6:30am said “ this vote here today will impact on my children and their children......because I have to determine the future of my country”AEP

Malawi upbeat about elections

2009-05-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

With a few hours left before the polling stations open for polls, Malawian are enthusiastic and are ready for the elections. Our team of reporters went around the city of Blantyre and Mulanje to find out the people's opinions on their state of their preparedness and their general view on the elections.

Nelson Banda, Blantyre: "I'm ready to vote for President Bingu wa Mutharika and I expect him to get majority votes because of the development he has brought like improved an road network."

Catherine Liwonde, Blantyre: "I'll not vote because I registered in Zomba but I'm currently working in Blantyre. But my hope is that the voters will vote for people who will continue developing Malawi."

Helen Liwonde, Blantyre: "I'm very excited that voting is finally on tomorrow. I'll vote for a God-fearing person, someone who propagates peace and loves development."

Lucia Matabwa, Blantyre: "I'm ready to vote. I'll vote for a person who is popular in my community."

Square Silio, Blantyre: "Tomorrow is a very crucial day because the decision that will be made through the votes will determine whether Malawi will continue to be peaceful and a secure place to live in or not. I'll vote for a person with a vision to develop Malawi further."

Erick Chisale, Blantyre: "As far as I am concerned, Malawi needs a leader who is going to revamp agriculture sector and President Bingu wa Mutharika has done that. For example, he introduced the fertiliser subsidy. I think he qualifies to be the president and I'm going to vote for him."

Kawoza Gondwe, Blantyre: "I'll vote for John Tembo for sure because he knows the state of our life and he knows where Malawi is coming from having been around since Dr. Kamuzu Banda's days. I don't think he can victimise people the way things were during the one party era."

Doreen Kaondo, Blantyre: "I am ready to vote but I cannot tell you who I will vote for. I know my presidential candidate. However, I will vote for the one who has improved the country's economy."

Adam Phiri, Blantyre: "I expect the next government to reduce the schools fees, especially in government and private universities. The government should subsidise school fees at privately owned education institutions like the Catholic University and the Share World Open University. I expect the government that should enactive laws to punish those who deliberately infecting others with HIV virus."

Hashim Ntelera, Blantyre: "I will vote for a leader who will respect the constitution of the country; a leader who will have the welfare of the people at heart; a leader who will not favour any group of people when developing the country and this leader is none other than John Tembo."

Shamima Binali, Blantyre: "I expect the next government to address the needs of people, the grassroots. It will address issues of hunger, HIV/Aids, poverty, make medicines accessible and available, improve the economy and address all economic issues and security problems and develop the country. I wish to see a developed Malawi. They are so many, I can't say them all."

Chekite Ajida, Blantyre: "I expect the next government to ensure sustainable development and reduce the poverty to an extent where every citizen in Malawi is catered for to a certain extent."

Mary Gelemu, Mulanje: "I registered and I'm prepared to vote. I expect the elections to be peaceful, without violence."

Charles Zuze, Mulanje: "I'm ready to vote peacefully, especially this being my first election in which I'm voting. The civic education was nice and I expect no violence."

Jessie Matiki, Mulanje: "I didn't register because there has been no development in our area, so I saw no need to register and vote. And I hear stories from people, I feel these elections might be characterised by violence. There was violence during the campaign time and I suspect it might spill over because the losers will not take it."

Peter Banda, Mulanje: "I'm ready to vote but I feel we might have violence after the results have been announced. I'm speaking from experience having been a victim of violence myself during the campaign time."

Lisinedi Luciano, Mulanje: "The voting will be okay and the results will be okay. I will vote and I'll respect the results."

Cathy Phiri, Kanjedza, Blantyre: "I've endured enough political rhetoric in the run up to the elections that I just to be through with the whole process."

Anne Vyalema, Blantyre: "I'm on my way to Zomba where I registered at Chandamale Centre. But I expect a nice election."

Kenneth Chipembere, Blantyre: "I'm going to Ntcheu to cast my vote at Malonda Primary School. I'll choose a development-conscious leader who would steer Malawi towards social-economic development."

Mary Litchowa, Mbayani, Blantyre: "I'll vote at Mbayani Primary School together with my husband, Jarrieson. I'm happy to take part in these polls because I missed the 2004 elections because my father died just a day before the polls. We want to vote to avoid very bad leaders clawing into power."

Gloria Chanza, Chilomoni, Blantyre: "May 19 will be an opportunity for me to vote for leaders who will steer the country towards improved education standards. I'll vote at the Catholic Institute [about 10km away] because we were living there when I registered. But the distance doesn't matter; voting comes only once in five years."

Linda Marimba, Chileka, Blantyre: "I see no reason for voting because politicians just want to enrich themselves. I registered at Manja Primary School [about 15km away] but I'll not vote because it's too far."

MacDonald Chawanda, Blantyre: "I voted in 2004 but I haven't seen the fruits of it, so why vote now?"

Leonard Phunduma, Kapeni, Blantyre: "My area has remained undeveloped 15 years after multiparty democracy, so what's my benefit in voting?"

Chimwemwe Champiti, Blantyre: "I'm not voting because I'm going abroad tomorrow. Even if I hadn't gone abroad, I wouldn't have voted either because politicians are all the same."

Siyeni Mapira, Malaya Village, Liwonde: "I'll only vote once Malawi's 'ageing politicians' quit politics. There is nothing for us, the youth, because it is the same old leaders ruling us."

Donatta Phiri, Sigerege, Blantyre: "I see the polls being peaceful, even if incidences of violence during the last two weeks of campaigning threatened to cast black clouds over prospects for peaceful elections."

International News Review – Malawi Elections May 19th 2009

2009-05-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

On the eve of Malawi Elections 2009, African Elections Project crawled through the Internet and we can report that there is a lot of news about the Malawian Elections on the Internet and beyond.

Here are some headlines from major news outlets:

AP : Malawi elections latest round in political feud

http://tinyurl.com/p5dx7m

AFP: Malawi polls to give verdict on political feud

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h2pl2wsJyqYc4kjshyM0ZYShIPmw

All Africa/AEP: Malawi: Showdown Time in Polls http://allafrica.com/stories/200905180201.html

BBC: Malawi poll rivals neck-and-neck

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8056243.stm

BBC: Tight race in Malawi poll

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8055192.stm

Reuters: PREVIEW-Malawians go to polls amid political tensions http://www.reuters.com/article/usDollarRpt/idUSLF94964220090517

XINHUA: News Analysis: Malawi to embrace hottest presidential election in history

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/18/content_11395003.htm

IPS: POLITICS-MALAWI: Poverty Uppermost in Voters' Minds

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46884

VOA: Malawian Voters Prepare to Choose President, Parliament

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-18-voa35.cfm

On The Eve Of Malawi Elections 2009 : Elections News Websites And Info Online Resources To Watch

2009-05-17T23:02:00.001-07:00

In less than 24 hours, Malawi goes to the poll to select a new president and fill 193 member parliament.
Online space is very busy with a lot of content
Your exclusive portal on Elections in Malawi www.africanelection.org/malawi is your starting point.
Other Malawi Elections online information and knowledge includes but not limited to :

Main NEWS ONLINE SOURCES

NYASA TIMES http://www.nyasatimes.com
NATION http://www.nationmw.net/
DAILY TIMES http://www.dailytimes.bppmw.com
SUNDAY TIMES http://www.sundaytimes.bppmw.com/
MALAWIAN NEWS http://www.malawinews.bppmw.com/
CAPITAL RADIO http://www.capitalradiomalawi.com/
MALAWI POLITICS http://www.malawipolitics.com/news.php

OTHERS ONLY

Political Party – : INDEPENDENT : http://jamesnyondo09.com/
Political party – NARC : http://www.narcparty.com/index.php
Political Party – : DPP: http://dppmw.org/
Political Party – : MCP : http://malawicongressparty.org/
BLOGS - http://ndagha.blogspot.com/
BLOGS http://mmalawi.blogspot.com/
BLOGS http://blogs.reuters.com/africanews/
BLOGS http://globalvoicesonline.org/-/world/sub-saharan-africa/malawi/
TWITTER – www.twitter.com/malawivotes2009
TWITTER – www.twitter.com/malawielections
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/BBCWSafrica
PICTURES - http://www.flickr.com/photos/malawielectionspix/
Africa News : http://www.africanews.com
VOA : http://www.voanews.com/english/africa/
BBC : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
ALL AFRICA http://allafrica.com/malawi/
MG- http://www.mg.co.za/
Afrique en Linge http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/

Democratic elections central to the maintenance of peace and security - COMESA

2009-05-16T08:23:00.001-07:00

Genuine democratic elections are central to the maintenance of peace and security in any country as they serve to resolve peacefully the competition for political power within a country, an electoral observer team from the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) said Friday.

The team was briefing the press on its mission in Malawi.

Leader of the team, Ambassador Otema Musuka said to ensure free and fair elections, COMESA observers based in the country have closely followed the electoral process of the May 19 elections.

He observed that free expression of the will of the people of Malawi will provide the basis for the authority and legitimacy of the government of Malawi, and as such elections should be held in a free and fair manner in order to uphold peace in the country during the post election period.

"Credible and legitimate elections are a foundation for peace and security to any country which is in an election period such as Malawi. The observation of the elections is meant to contribute to the transparency of the electoral process by making sure that the elections are free and fair and not to pass judgment," he said.

Musuka appealed to all Malawians, political parties and contesting candidates to maintain peace and tolerance with one another as the country goes to the polls on Tuesday.

In order to come up with aggregate results as a basis for appropriate analysis of the electoral process, the team is using a sampling process in all the three regions of the country. The final report from the team will be submitted to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs at their annual meeting in June.

The team comprises 12 members from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Zambia). Each member is expected to visit between 15 and 20 polling centres.

The main objective of the COMESA electoral observer team is to provide an independent assessment of the electoral process thereby providing credibility and legitimacy to the electoral process as a way of promoting peace, security and stability in the region as provided for under Article 3(d) of the COMESA treaty which among other things provides for the commitment to the promotion of democracy and the rule of law.

COMESA also monitored Malawi's previous elections in 1994 and 1999.

MANA

Breaking News -Malawi Elections 2009 : No Third Term-Constitutional Court

2009-05-16T06:27:00.001-07:00

The Constitutional Court in Malawi has upheld the decision by the Malawi Electoral Commission that former president Bakili Muluzi is barred by the consitution of the Republic of Malawi to run for presidency.
Muluzi served two year terms from 1994 to 2004.
The Constitutional Court says anyone who ruled for 2 terms as president is barred from standing again for a 3rd term. His lawyers say that they will appeal.

The ruling follows an application by Muluzi's defense team which argued against the decision by the electoral body barring him on March 20 2009.

Muluzi has since sent his party into a coalition with Malawi Congress Party to support long time politician John Tembo as the presidential candidate.

Some tweeter and emailed reactions to the ruling say this is "bad ending for Muluzi" while others say this is "good news for Malawi's democracy".

AEP

BREAKING NEWS : Malawi Elections : No Third Term-Constitutional Court

2009-05-16T06:01:00.001-07:00

The Constitutional Court in Malawi has upheld the decision by the Malawi Electoral Commission that former president Bakili Muluzi is barred by the consitution of the Republic of Malawi to run for presidency. Muluzi served two year terms from 1994 to 2004. The Constitutional Court says anyone who ruled for 2 terms as president is barred from standing again for a 3rd term. His lawyers say that they will appeal.

The ruling follows an application by Muluzi's defense team which argued against the decision by the electoral body barring him on March 20 2009.

Muluzi has since sent his party into a coalition with Malawi Congress Party to support long time politician John Tembo as the presidential candidate.

Some tweeter and emailed reactions to the ruling say this is "bad ending for Muluzi" while others say this is "good news for Malawi's democracy".

AEP

Malawi Elections 2009 Presidential candidates profiles- Part 1(3 )

2009-05-15T03:42:00.001-07:00

Presidential candidates profiles

Republican Party- Stanley Edington Masauli:

He was born on August 8, 1945 in his home village Gomani in Traditional Authority Mlumbe in Zomba district.
He was third born son in the family of five children
He received early primary education at a local village school
He celebrated his fourth and eighth birthdays at Marondela in Zimbabwe where his father went for employment
He continued education there
With friends, he would admire planes
In 1955 the family came back home and Masauli joined Zomba CCAP Primary School
At 16 in 1961, he was selected to Malosa Secondary School and In 1964 he qualified for Cambridge School Certificate.
In 1961 he was selected to the Polytechnic-a constituent college of the University of Malawi where he studied engineering
In 1968 he joined Malawi Broadcasting Corporation commercial department
He later sought after a Diploma in Sales Management and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales Management
He left MBC in 1977 and joined Old Mutual until 1997
He started flying lessons and joined Luchenza Flying Club and had Bob McKinley for his flying instructor
Among his honours, he is a qualified flying instructor and pilot examiner for 25 years
He was president of the Rotary Club of Limbe between 1991 and 1992
He chairman and managing director of Air Charters from 1980 to 1991
He was also chairman of Press Corporation between 1996 and 1997
He is a holder of a United Nations ICAO medal of honour, Gold member of Life Insurance and author of My Life and My Aeroplanes
He joined politics in 1994 while with Old Mutual because he says his hero, the country's first president Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda was inhumanely treated after losing a multiparty election
He is a CCAP Christian and with his wife Bethel, they have three children-Cesna 30, Junior 28, and Nocole 26.

Alliance for Democracy --Aford- Dindi Gowa Nyasulu:

He was born on August 3, 1944 at Luwichi along the shores of Lake Malawi in Rumphi district in the area of chief Mwamlowe
He is the eighth born child in a family of nine. Only two children are alive
He married Enabel Nyasopela Mwafulirwa
He was baptized at Chitimba into the CCAP family
He started formal education at Chiweta Primary School before he moved to Chitimba Mission where he complted his Standard Six
Later he went to Livingstonia Secondary School up to form four then moved to the then Dedza High School now called Dedza Secondary School or popularly known as Box 48 where he wanted to do forms five and six
But government opened University of Malawi and that led to the closure of forms five and six and some of those to go into forms five and six opened the new university at Chichiri in Blantyre
Because of passion for sciences, Dindi went to Blantyre Secondary School to complete his High School.
After completing Form six with good results in sciences, in 1967 he left for the USA where in 9171 he graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in engineering from the University of Washington
He joined the Ministry of Works as a civil engineer for 15 years
In 1976, he went back in class at Birmingham University in the UK where he did a master's degree in highway engineering
He was prematurely retired from civil service in 1985 on political reasons
He left for South Africa at the invitation of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of Southern Africa to be technical manager from 1986 to 1996
During those 10 years, he scooped some awards from the institution's Division of Roads and Transport Technology.
In 1990, he got the Director's Award for Technological Excellence while in 1991 he received another Director's Award for Marketing Excellence
He developed the interest in politics in South Africa and was at the centre of external wing of the Aford in the early 1990s
He resigned from his South Africa job and in 1997 he won the race to parliament for his Rumphi West constituency through a by-election
In 1997 he was incorporated into he National Executive Committee of Aford and in 2002 became the national campaign director
In 1999 he was chair of the Public Works Committee of Parliament
In 2003 he became leader of Aford in the House

National Rainbow Coalition-Loveness Gondwe:

She was born 42 years ago in Chigonga Jere village in sub Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba.
She is the fifth bornin a family if eight
Her father was a teacher and his transfers saw Loveness schooling at Njuyu, Mzimba LEA school and later at Lingadzi LEA now Chimutu and Chigoneka primary school.
She went to Bwaila secondary school in 1980 before going to Ekwendeni Girls Secondary School.
She holds two diplomas in secretarial management and hospitality
She has worked for Ryalls Hotel and Smallholder Farmers Revolving Fund and Import and Export
Her interest in politics developed when she joined the South African High Commission where she worked as secretary to the last apartheid ambassador George Strobel during transition
She worked for the 5th UNDP Country Programme before she came back to Malawi
She formed NARC in 2008 after dumping Aford
In the dissolved March 20 Parliament, she served in the Business Committee, a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission, deputy chairperson of Reforms Committee. She was also a member of the Pan African Parliament which seats in South Africa.
In 1999, she was the only female MP in a 33-strong field of Aford MPs in the northern region.

-AEP

MEC INVITE EISA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION

2009-05-14T15:46:00.001-07:00

The Malawi electoral commission invited election observer mission from Electoral Institute of Southern Africa EISA.

EISA's executive director Mr Dennis Kadima disclosed this on Thursday upon the arrival of its election observer Mission to the 2009 Malawi Presidential and parliamentary elections slated for 19 may 2009.
According to the executive director, members of the mission began arriving in Malawi on 10th may and will remain in the country until 22nd may.

The observers who have already been briefed by various electoral stakeholders, will on Friday be deployed to central, Northern and southern regions of Malawi, where they continue to meet with electoral officials, civil society organizations and representatives of political parties and media as well as attending campaign rallies.

The deployment of the mission is among other things aimed at promoting effective citizen participation in democratic process to strengthen institutional accountability and responsiveness and also promoting principles and practices that lead to a culture of democracy and human rights.

The mission consists of 10 members drawn from civil society organizations (CSOs) and election management bodies in the following countries: DRC, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, south Africa, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

AEP /Wesysylas Chirwa

Small Businesses in Malawi Advise Presidential Candidates

2009-05-14T15:09:00.001-07:00

As Malawi's elections come closer [May 19], the local business community has given presidential candidates some advice about private enterprise and how it can thrive.

Business leaders say Malawians are eager for development, and local businesses do not want to waste time, or elect corrupt officials.

Mike Mlombwa, the president of the Indigenous Business Association of Malawi, said the next government should empower local businesses.

Mlombwa said the time has come for locals to take a leading role in controlling the economy rather than foreigners. "What we are saying is that there are a lot of foreigners here running businesses that are supposed to be done by locals. For example, some of them are running restaurants, car [rentals], spare parts shops, [and] stationary shops which are supposed to be run by locals," he says.

He says his association has been appealing to its members to vote for leaders who would have the interests of local businesses at heart.

Mlombwa says the major problem is what he calls the country's weak business policies.

He says what local businesses need from the next government is a 51:49 investment policy, in which locals will own 51 percent and investors owning 49 percent in any business venture coming into Malawi.

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-05-14-voa32.cfm

Malawi NGO Doubts Guarantees of Free and Fair Polls

2009-05-14T15:07:00.001-07:00

In Malawi, a local think tank, the Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI), says it doubts assurances by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) that next week's presidential and parliamentary elections will be free and fair.

The executive director of IPI, Rafik Hajat, says there have been problems with the electoral process – for example, the cameras used for the photographs on voter identity cards.

"As you know thousands of cameras didn't work. And the challenges facing both the registration of voters and verification of voters' rolls [has] shown…me that the whole process was mismanaged," he says.

But Malawi Electoral Commission spokesperson Fegus Lipenga says the problem was solved by replacing the faulty cameras. And, he says the registration period was extended to about three weeks to give room to those who did not register because of the faulty equipment.

"Procurement is in progress. A lot of things have already arrived in preparation for the polls. The civil society is out there educating people on how to vote and all other information as regard to elections. And also at the Electoral Commission we are now working on the voter list to make it ready for the poll," she says.

MEC's commissioner, Georgina Chikoko says everything is now in place to ensure free and fair elections.

The executive director of the Institute for Policy Interaction says there's been political interference from the electoral commission and that it ignores the complaints of observers.

"The appointment of the commissioners has never been ratified by parliament and…the commission feels beleaguered. It feels like it's in a battle and it has to defend itself," he says.

Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati responds by saying the composition of the commissioners is legitimate, since it's the mandate of the president to appoint them and no commissioner is affiliated with a political party.

Some complain that the state media is favoring the ruling party. The state-owned media has refused to allot free air time for opposition advertisements because the opposition-controlled parliament refused to fund them.

But electoral commission spokesperson Fegus Lipenga says the board offered to fund commercials designed by the political parties that would run on the state run Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and Malawi Television. He says the political parties instead decided to advertise only on private radio stations. So he says the commission is paying for political parties' campaign messages on private radio stations.

This year's presidential and parliamentary elections will be the fourth to be held since 1994 when Malawi embraced multiparty democracy.

Over the years the stakeholders have been accusing the electoral commission of supporting the incumbent political party – an allegation it vehemently denies.

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-05-13-voa34.cfm

Malawi Elections 2009 John Tembo: Poised for power?

2009-05-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

John Tembo: Poised for power?

By Raphael Tenthani
BBC News, Blantyre

Will 2009 finally be the year of veteran Malawian politician John Zenus Ungapake Tembo after 15 years in opposition?

Mr Tembo, presidential candidate for the Malawi Congress Party, is banking on his long experience in government and the private sector during the MCP's uninterrupted 30 years under the late dictator, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, and a loyal vote from his stronghold - the tobacco heartland of Central region - to make it to State House.

go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3198197.stm

Government to increase number of coupons – Kutsaira

2009-05-14T09:10:00.001-07:00

Deputy Minister for Water and Irrigation Binton Kutsaira has assured people in the country that government will increase the number of coupons per household to ensure that food security prevails in the country.

Kutsaira, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional governor for the centre, made the remarks on Tuesday when he addressed a public meeting at Nkangamila Primary School in Lilongwe.

He said it was the wish of government to increase the number of coupons so that each household gets two coupons – one for NPK and the other CAN fertilizer.

"I would, therefore, like to urge you all in this area to vote for Bingu and his parliamentary candidates for continued food security in the country," he urged.

Mana/aag/dbc

Fwd: Bingu urges people to vote for cadidates with potential

2009-05-14T05:52:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Malawi News Agency mana <mana.headqurters@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, May 14, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Subject: Bingu urges people to vote for cadidates with potential
To: newsroombt@nationmw.net, echitsulo@nationmw.net, twr@malawi.net, zbsnews@yahoo.com, wkanthenga@yahoo.com, nmagombo@yahoo.com, dchikwembani@yahoo.co.uk, bakukaya@yahoo.com, mbcnews@malawi.net, mphandej@yahoo.com, georgekasakula@nationmw.net, infoelink@gmail.com, arthur.chipenda@information.gov.mw, jdmchili@yahoo.co.uk, sam.makaka@yahoo.com, info@guardiannews.mw, malawieditors@list.africanelections.org

Dowa voters want water first

2009-05-14T05:37:00.001-07:00

Voters in the Central Malawi district of Dowa have cited access to
portable water as their biggest problem, urging political party
leaders contesting in the May19 presidential and parliamentary
elections to prioritise the commodity in their policies.
At least 20 of the 30 people interviewed this week said, if they were
in leadership positions, they would sort out the problem of water, a
commodity they said made development possible.
"We have persistent water problems in this district. Imagine, this
could be the second year without water at the main hospital in Madisi.
People have gone all these years with dry taps and yet this is a
hospital they depend on for all their health needs," lamented Esther
Kaluzi, 33,a mother of five children.
Her sentiments were echoed by many other respondents, who said the
general lack of water had impacted heavily on development and people's
livilihoods.
"Who would love to live without portable water for as many as five
years? Not me. But, what can we do, we continue to stay here because
our parents lived here, and left pieces of land for us. We have
nowhere to go or, if we have, we can only go and come back- this is
the only place we know," said Michael Chalira, 48.
He said it was sad that, over 43 years down the line of independence,
people were still living 'primitive lives', depending on water from
rivers and zithaphwi.
A visit to Madisi hospital revealed the said lack of water, and
guardians said they were paying K8 for some people to source a pale of
water for them- often from dirty sources.
As a result, said Agness Khongoni, water-borne diseases were order of
the day during the rainy season.
"Even now, you would find people down with water-related illnesses yet
we have a member of parliament," she said.
Coming after communities' concerns over the general lack of portable
water were food security, road infrastructure, education, and health.
Some people doubted, however, if expressing their concerns would
change anything, saying they were tired of blowing their problems'
trumpets to the wind.

Sports trophies top list of campaign tools
By Richard Chirombo
Most Central region aspiring members of parliament (MP) have employed
the use of sporting activities, among other campaign tools, in the
past 11 months, AEP-Malawi can reveal.
Visits to Ntcheu, Dedza, Lilongwe, Kasungu, Dowa, Ntchisi and Salima
this week revealed that sporting activities were prefered by most
politicians, with the main focus on football and netball, as it
offered them some good ground to sell themselves to prospective
voters.
Football, also known as soccer, is loved by many in Malawi's rural
areas, with netball usually ranking second. Netball is mainly used as
a gender-balancing tool.
A visit to 15 constituencies in the seven districts revealed that, at
least, seven football and netball trophies were still on, or finals
had just been played during the past three weeks, as campaigning comes
close to the finishline drawn for May19.
In Dedza South constituency, where Malawi Congress Party president
John Tembo is also standing as MP, there have been more that 10
football and 8 netball trphies sponsored by politicians during the
past 10 months. Tembo himself has distributed footballs to various
youth clubs in the constituency.
The same is true for Ntchisi North, Salima South, Dowa North East,
Lilongwe City South East, Lilongwe Mapuyu South, Ntchisi North, Ntcheu
South, Ntcheu West, Dedza South West, Kasungu North, Salima Central,
Salima North, Dedza East, Kasungu North-North East, Dedza East, Dowa
South East, among others.
Some of the youth interviewed, however, said they took part in such
competitions not because of political party affiliation, as
politicians wanted it to appear, but because they were largely starved
of such opportunities and saw the trophied as a means of getting money
as well as improving their physique.
Gostino Damiano of Dedza South, for instance, said his club had
received footballs from Tembo though he had not registered to vote on
May19 despite being eligible at 23 years.
"You vote, nothing changes," he said.
He said, however, expressed appreciation to aspiring politicians who
introduce such trophies.He said such competitions keep the youth in
good form while, at the same time, creating lasting relationships.
Martha Chamgwera of Ntchisi North said the trophies were commendable,
and would work towards building peaceful elections on May19, as it was
more likely that youth of opposing political parties would engage in
violence against others they know.
However, the impact of such trophies in influencing people's votes
remains unclear.
There have been concerns, too, from football authorities over
sustainability of such trophies. They say, since raw talent uncovered
during such competitions often has nowhere to go thereafter and
convert their skills into cash due to the one-naturedness of the
trophies, such trophies have been of little benefit to sports
development in Malawi.

AEP/ Richard Chirombo

Kenya,Zimbabwe post election conflict scares Blantyre CCAP

2009-05-13T23:43:00.001-07:00

The Blantyre Synod of the CCAP church has said the post election conflicts which occured in Kenya and Zimbabwe are worrisome and not good to be repeated in Malawi after May 19 elections.

The synod's communications manager Reverend Paul Mawaya told a local radio this morning that the synod has since organised prayers today (Thursday) to ask God that Malawi goes through peaceful, free and fair elections.

"We do not want the country to experience what Kenya and Zimbabwe did," said Mawaya.

After elections in Zimbabwe and Kenya the opposition disputed the results and called for a power sharing government. Violence erupted and some lost lives.

Mawaya said only God's intervention would facilitate peaceful elections.The prayers, he said, would take place at St. Columba CCAP church in Blantyre City."We have invited all presidential candidates, parliamentary candidates and elelctoral stakeholders," we said.

Last week Friday, only two presidential candidates attended the presidential prayer breakfast at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre.

For sure President Bingu wa Mutharika will miss today's prayers because he is expected to preside over a function at the tomb of the first president of the country Hastings Kamuzu Banda in the capital city Lilongwe.

May 14 is Kamuzu day and it is a public holiday in Malawi.

In the afternoon the president is expected to hold a mass rally in his home district of Thyolo.

African Elections Project (AEP) Malawi

Muluzi calls for Calm

2009-05-13T23:05:00.001-07:00

Former president who is also United Democratic Front (UDF) national chairman Dr Bakili Muluzi has called for calm amongst his supporters following in scenes of violences that happened yesterday, during his whistle stop tour in Mulanje and Thyolo district.
Dr muluzi made the appeal during a whistle stop tour he adressed t Mendulo in Mulanje district soon after his rally was at Goliati was distrupted by allegedly DPP supporters who were wearing DPP T-Shirts.

'I want to ask all of you to be calm. Do not get worried over what has just happened at Goliati. I know these people would like to see you fighting back. Bu i Urge you all not to do that.'

'This is a clear indication that this government knows that its time over. Let me tell you this. Not matter what kind of tricks this government use, the MCP/UDF coalition will emerge victorious come may 19 general elections.
He also is asked his UDF followers in the district to vote for Mr John Tembo who is MCP/UDF torch bearer for a better Malawi.

AEP

Showers disturb voters’ roll verification clerks

2009-05-13T06:45:00.001-07:00

Rain showers on Wednesday morning affected clerks currently engaged in the voter verification exercise ahead of the May19, 2009 parliamentary
and presidential elections.
A visit to the Electoral Commission's (EC) offices by AEP-Malawi established that the clerks are working on an open ground within EC's
premises, a development some of the clerks said was rendering their job difficult.
This became evident when, from around 11:00am to 12:20pm, light showers forced the workers to seek the shelter of a building just
nearby, but even that was not enough for cover since the clerks are many in number.
Already, concerns are growing that the electoral body could miss the May19,2009 elections deadline, assertions EC's chairperson, Justice
Anastasia Msosa, parried aside at a press briefing last Friday.
One of the clerks complained that they were being subjected to an environment that could effectively impair their output and fan fears
the elections date may be shifted to another date.
Msosa has, however, assured voters that, come what may, the elections are on. She said Malawians could as well start preparing for that task
of standing in a queue ready to effect decisions (one of parliamentary candidate, the other for president) that could as well define the
destiny of the Southern African Development Community member state for the next five years.

Richard Chirombo/AEP

Republican Party Presidential Candidates says he will cry if he looses elections

2009-05-13T02:29:00.000-07:00

With only six days to the polling day, New Republican president Stanley Masauli has told Malawians that that should he lose the May 19 presidential and parliamentary elections, he is going to Cry.

Masauli made the remarks at the presidential prayer breakfast that took place last Friday at Sanjika palace.

Pentecostal Revival Crusade PRC organized the prayers, under the leadership of Apostle DR. Madalitso Mbewe of Cavalry family church CFC and were aimed at praying for peaceful and fair elections.

"If we lost what I would is go home and cry. Cry for my country, cry for my people the people in the villages even in town here people can go hungry did you know that, attracting applause from the audience."

He made a public declaration that he would accept the results. He would accept that Malawians has chosen it that way.

"I would accept the results your Excellency. I would accept the fact that Malawians has chosen it that way. My heart will be depressed because I wanted to reorient our development cake to sustain or at least bring up our friends to a level close to us where we are enjoying plenty."

AEP

Albinos Vow to take part in Malawi’s May 19 elections

2009-05-13T02:21:00.001-07:00

Albinos in the country have vowed to exercise their right to vote in the fourth coming May 19 general elections.

This was disclosed by the albino association of Malawi president, Grace Masa during the commemorations of albino's day at the Blantyre youth center.

Masa said as the country's citizens, albinos will go in large numbers to exercise their right.

The development comes just barely two days after Democratic progressive party central region governor Mr. Bintony Kutsaira has been widely accused for his recent racists remarks he made at one of president Mutharika's whistle stop tours in Lilongwe that people should not vote for Asians.

He was referring to united democratic front candidate for Lilongwe city center Mr. Iqba Omar.

Center for human rights and rehabilitation has described the remarks as unfortunate and have called for an immediate apology to the nation by Mr. Kutsaira.

AEP/Wesysylas Chirwa

Last hour violence could disrupt peaceful environment

2009-05-13T02:01:00.001-07:00

The increased spate of violent acts the past two weeks could disrupt prospects for a peaceful environment during the May19 elections, human rights activists have warned.

The developments are more likely to rile the Electoral Commission (EC) as well, as it has called for peaceful political co-existence in the run up to, during, and after the polls. Fegus Lipenga, EC's spokesperson, reiterated in an interview the need for all political players to maintain peace, a process he said would help voters make informed decisions.

For the past one week alone, there have been spates of violent incidents in both the Southern and Central region. It all started in the Central region when some students stoned part of President Bingu wa Mutharika's convoy before the cancer extended its tentacles to Thyolo district in Southern Malawi. Some unidentified people stoned former president, Bakili Muluzi's, convoy.

Other cases have also been reported in public buses and beer drinking places as tension and high expectations build up in the run up to Malawi's forth leg in multiparty politics of government.

One of the analysts, Kenwilliams Mhango, said it was sad that some "misguided supporters" had taken to violence as a means of frustrating their "master's political opponents". Mhango said such tactics have never worked before and asked Malawians to learn from past mistakes.

Mhango, the first president of the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions and labour adviser to former president Bakili Muluzi, asked the country's law enforcers to round up all perpetrators of violence as, without taking any restraining action, the situation could easily degenerate into violence.

"We must not allow this to happen in this country. We know what has happened elsewhere- Zimbabwe, Kenya- when violence is employed to express personal political feelings," said Mhango.

Undule Mwakasungula, Executive Director for the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, described the situation as unfortunate, saying it was sad elements of violence were cropping up just when Malawians were made to believe the era of violence and primitive politics was surely gone.

"Everyone has the right to participate in political discourse and aspire for positions of leadership. So, what these people are doing is stifle this inalienable right. It is unacceptable and must not be allowed to happen," said Mwakasungula.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Political parties in alliance urged to quickly sign MOU’s : Chancellor College in Zomba

2009-05-13T00:46:00.001-07:00

Political parties that are in alliance, in preparation for next week's polls, should work on their memoranda of understanding now, to avoid disagreements after the elections.

These are the views of Mustapha Hussein, a political lecturer, from the Chancellor College in Zomba.

The sentiments come as most parties that have entered into alliances, are yet to sign their memoranda of understanding.

These partners include the ruling Democratic Progressive Party-DPP, which is in partnership with People's Progressive Movement PPM, as well as the MCP/UDF grand alliance.

Since the alliances were made, representatives of the political parties have remained mum, on details of their alliances.

But recent observations show that up to now, most of the alliances are yet to come up with their MOU.

And commenting on the issue, Hussein said it is important for the parties to make public details of their relationships, to their followers.

He observes, that the current scenario, where there is total silence, on the issue of signing of MOUs, show that these alliances, may not really benefit the common Malawians.

http://www.capitalradiomalawi.com/news1.html

Malawi Elections 2009 : I will accept results says Bingu

2009-05-13T00:15:00.001-07:00

Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika, has made a rare public declaration that he would accept results should he fail to make it during this year's may 19 general elections.

President Mutharika is going into the elections seeking his second term of office. He won in 2004 under the United Democratic front ticket. Before dumping the party that ushered him to power and formed his own party Democratic progressive party DPP.
DPP has never participated in any general election and this year's election will be a litmus test for its strength and popularity it has gained in the past five years.

"I would like to say this. Not only do pledge to free fair and credible elections but also want non violent elections.. I do not want any one to be intimidated either by political party or a group. I want everyone to be free to select what they want.
"And indeed at the end of the day when Malawians will say this is the type of leadership they want and by definition that's the road they want to take towards 2014, I will be the first one to accept."

AEP/Wesysylas Chirwa

Chiradzulu District feels betrayed

2009-05-12T09:43:00.001-07:00

Chiradzulu district voters have declared their support towards leaders who have passion to bring the deserved develop to the area in honour of John Chilembwe, one of the first freedom fighters for Malawi.
Most people, who were interviewed, said they felt betrayed by the leaders because almost all the politicians in the district have promised to develop the district during the campaign periods politicians in the district have promised to develop the district during the campaign periods which they never fulfilled.
"We will be very careful this time around. We want leaders who will develop Chiradzulu," Cassim Limu a businessman at the boma said.
He said Chiradzulu was supposed to be one of the most developed districts in Malawi because of its political back ground.
"The fact that John Chilembwe came from here we were supposed to be somewhere in terms of development. Look we do not have a bank, a post office and we cannot even compare ourselves to Blantyre which a few kilometres from here," Limu said.
Limu also added that there is need to open up opportunities for the youth in the district to advance their small businesses.
John Butao another businessman said there is need to improve the road networks in the district.
He observed that the only tarred road in Chiradzulu is the one which connects the district to the Zomba road.
"It is very difficult to travel especially in rainy season because the roads become very muddy and slippery and yet one of the country's heroes originated from here," he said

Malawi Ruling Party Denies It is Planning on Rigging May 19 Election

2009-05-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Malawi's presidential election is May 19, exactly one week from Tuesday. President Bingu wa Mutharika is facing perhaps his strongest challenge to date from a coalition of the Malawi Congress Party and the United Democratic Front of former President Bakili Muluzi.

Now there are allegations Mutharika's ruling Democratic Progress Party may be planning to rig the election. One account says the party has assigned some of its supporters to wear police uniforms on Election Day to transport already stuffed ballot papers from selected polling stations to a central counting area.

Chikumbutso Mtumodzi, spokesman for President Mutharika told VOA the allegations of rigging are an imagination of people who do not want to accept the fact that President Mutharika is slated to win the May 19 election by a landslide.

"Of course you know that that's not true, and it's very unfair for me to comment on a story that has got no basis, and the source for that story does not even exist. Therefore I'm not even going to comment or else I will be dignifying something that is not there," he said.

According to the Nyasa Times, the Malawi online newspaper, ruling party youth brigade members have been visiting the police station where uniforms are made to be visited with police uniforms.

Mtumodzi described Nyasa Times as a bogus publication that should not be believed.

"Nyasa Times is not respected in Malawi; Nyasa Times is associated with fabrication; Nyasa Times is associated with imagination by a few who don't believe that they are going lose. As simple as that and Voice of America should at least desist or refrain from using Nyasa Times as a source of information," Mtumodzi said.

With a week to go before the election, President Bingu wa Mutharika is facing perhaps his strongest challenge to date from a coalition of the Malawi Congress Party and the United Democratic Front of former President Bakili Muluzi.

Mtumodzi said President Mutharika is going to win the May 19 election by a landslide.

"All the opinion polls that have been conducted show that President Mutharika is going to win with more than 65 percent of the vote. The indication as of today our president was getting more than 75 percent from all the people who are going to vote. I mean it's so obvious. You even come and do your own research. You can go to Lilongwe, Blantyre. All indications are there that President Mutharika is going to win by a landslide victory," he said.

Mtumodzi denied allegations by some supporters of independent candidate James Nyondo that the government has been harassing opposition supporters by arresting them in several cities.

"Who is James Nyondo, tell me, independent candidate for what? You know what if you walk in the streets of Lilongwe, of Blantyre, of Mzuzu, of Zomba, or Mangochi you ask them in the streets if they can tell who Nyondo is, Nyondo doesn't exist. Nyondo is not there. Why can't you quote someone who is more authentic or more authoritative," Mtumodzi said.

He said Malawians will overwhelmingly re-elect incumbent President Mutharika because they want food security, economic and infrastructure development.

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-05-12-voa3.cfm

Malawi Elections 2009 : Ballot papers distribution starts on May 13

2009-05-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

Ballot papers distribution starts on May 13

The distribution of the ballot papers for the May 19 presidential and Parliamentary elections to the polling centres will start on 13 May, Malawi Electoral Commission (EC) has said.
EC spokes person Fergus Lipenga said the ballot paper will be distributed from Kamuzu International Airport where they are being kept to all the polling stations.
There are 4000 polling stations and Lipenga was optimistic that the exercise will be through in good time before the polling day.
"We don't think it will be a difficult job because we are starting from a central area in Lilongwe which makes it easy to get to all corners of Malawi," he said.
In a related development Lipenga said printing of the final voters roll will start on 12 May and it will be done internally in Blantyre.
Last week EC Chairperson Anastansia Msosa said indicated that the printing exercise will take up to six days.
But she clarified that priority on the distribution of the voters roll will be given to northern region because of the distance.
"We will not wait for the whole exercise to finish before we start distribution, but we will be sending whatever copies we have printed to the north so that the voters roll get there in good time and we will finish with the southern region," she said.
Considering the six days of printing, Msosa said some polling stations especially in Blantyre will get the voters roll on the eve of voting.

AEP/Tiwonge Ng'ona

African Elections Project Malawi - provide platform for citizens' voices

2009-05-11T09:04:00.001-07:00

With Eight days to go for Malawi Elections 2009, African Elections Project Team of reporters are traveling throughout the length and breath of Malawi and providing a unique platform for citizens' voices to be heard regarding the elections.
Follow their reports at www.twitter.com/malawivotes2009 or www.africanelections.org/malawi

Do you have any elections news to share with us?

Send a mail to Malawi@africanelections.org

Text or call: 00265995264874 or +265999338902

NORTH

Nkhata Bay
Mzuzu
Ekwendeni
Rumphi
Chiweta
Karonga

Central

Mwanza
Balaka
Ntuleu
Dedza
Lilongwe
Kasungu
Dowa
Ntchisi
Salima
Nkhota- Kota

South

Nsanje
Chikwawa
Mulanje
Thyolo
Chiradzulu

East

Zomba
Machinga
Mangochi
Balaka

ends

Musicians make business out of elections

2009-05-11T08:47:00.001-07:00

Malawian musicians have made business out of the May19 parliamentary and presidential elections, but the impact of their services is yet to be analyzed.

The trend started with renowned Malawian musician, Lucius Banda, in 2004, when he did the hit song "Yellow" for the then ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). It did not take long for other musicians, including Joseph Nkasa who did 'Mose wa Lero', to emulate that gimmick that, to date, there are well over 100 songs composed for political campaign purposes.

Nkasa has also done some songs for parliamentary candidates. The MPs who have hired musicians to do bits for them, bits they are using at constituency level, include Ellock Maotcha Banda for Chikwawa Central, Sidik Mia for Chikwawa Mkombezi, among others, while presidential candidates who have benefited from the same include incumbent Bingu wa Mutharika, United Democratic Front's Bakili Muluzi (now barred from contesting by the Electoral Commission) and James Nyondo- who has a paid up hit dedicated to him. The song was done by Prince Masache and Alex Chamasowa.

Lommie Mafunga, one of the musicians who have played a song for Mutharika, acknowledged in an interview there was money behind the recent trend by musicians.

Mafunga, a veteran musician who once brushed shoulders with the likes of Allan Namoko,Daniel Kachamba, among others, said some musicians were charging K60,000 for a song done for an aspiring MP while those for presidential candidates ranged from K60,000 to K300,000.

"It is a sound business," he said.

He, however, said he has not received anything for his song praising Mutharika because his aim was to help pass the message of the DPP's presidential torch-bearer.

Other musicians who have recorded hits for political purposes include Joseph Tembo and Mutharika himself, who did a rendition of the song 'Tiyende Pamodzi' .

However, Lucius Banda is on record to have warned that once a musicians starts playing politics, the album sales on the local music market all but dwindle.

He is a living witness.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Malawi Elections 2009 : Voters can verify their registration details

2009-05-11T05:16:00.001-07:00

Verifying the Voter's Roll Online

Malawians are verifying the voters' roll via the Malawi Electoral Commission's website http://www.mec.org.mw. Though the site has come rather in the last minute, some Malawians have welcomed the initiative saying it saves time but also helps make Malawi utilize the Internet.

A number of Malawians earlier expressed concern over lack of online presence of the electoral body.

source : www.africanelections.org/malawi /AEP

MEC photographers protest over unpaid allowances

2009-05-10T23:30:00.001-07:00

Tiwonge Ng'ona

MEC photographers who were hired to take part in the electoral process on Tuesday caused havoc at MEC offices in Blantyre when they protested demanding for what they termed as 'the unpaid allowances'.

The photographers who gathered at MEC sung songs calling for the authorities to release their allowances which have accumulated from 6 April 2009.

"We want our money. We have not been paid for the 14 days the Commission hired us to do the job for them. We only got our allowances for the first five days of the voters verification exercise but when the period was extended for another five days we never got our money.

"To make matters worse the Commission also hired us nine days ago to help them rectify the messy voters roll and they have not paid us also," explained Joseph Mkuziwaduka one of the disgrunltled photographers.

Mkuziwaduka further explained that the authorities at MEC have been playing down the photographers demand.

"We have asked them to give us our money if they want us to continue working with them. If they don't, they should not expect us to continue working for them," he said.

In a separate interview Chief Elections Officer David Bandawe said the Commission was processing the photographers allowances.

AEP

Malawi Elections 2009 : Be proactive monitors on elections day-PACENET

2009-05-10T03:36:00.001-07:00

The Pan African Civic Educators Network (PACENET) has asked all contesting political parties and candidates, be proactive, recruit and deploy effective monitors in a press released signed by Steven Duwa, the Executive Director of PACENET. Currently PACENET is one of the main implementing organisations of the 50-50 National Campaign for more women in Parliament come the May, 19^th 2009 Election and is also accredited under Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN ) to monitor the entire electoral process including the polls on 19^th May, 2009 .

In that regard, PACENET would like to remind ALL political parties and candidates especially women contesting on the 19^th May to prioritize the monitoring of the polling day events including the voting, counting and announcing of results by among other things; recruiting, training and deploying energetic, knowledgeable, dedicated and trustworthy people to monitor the polls. Quality monitors and monitoring will enhance voters' confidence in the voting process and results of the election itself thereby reducing the likelihood of post election conflict.

We call upon all the contestants to invest considerable amount of time and resources in the monitoring exercise lest their efforts to win in the election are frustrated by possible fraud orchestrated by certain misguided individuals or groups of people who would like to win the election by employing rigging tactics. As an experienced organisation in issues of elections including election monitoring, we would like to draw the attention of ALL contestants to the following malpractices /rigging tactics and which should be the reason for the deployment of good and active monitors on the polling day:

a) Electioneering – active campaigning and solicitation of votes by a candidate, political party agents in the polling place or within the 100 metres campaign free zone of the polling station

b) Payment for a vote

c) Illegal casting of votes

d) Impersonating a registered voter

e) Interfering with the voting process

f) Harassing the voters

g) Tampering with voting materials

h) Illegal voter assistance or instruction

i) Voters who try to leave the poling centre with a ballot.

OTHER FORMS OF ELECTION RIGGING

Deception

· A poll clerk responsible for distribution of ballot papers and demonstrating to the voter on how to properly cast the vote may openly tell them which candidate to vote for.

· Deception method is also used a few days before polling. The electorate may be deceived that their candidate(s) have already won the elections therefore, there was no need for them to go vote.

Manipulation of Results

· Another malpractice is falsification of results. The recommended electoral procedure is that at the end of counting exercise, the presiding officer distributes signed results sheets to all representatives of interested parties. The result sheet contains scores acquired by each candidate at the polling centre. The falsification of results is achieved through the use of plain forgery. The result sheet in which scores obtained from polling centre is substituted with another result sheet which is not authentic with different scores.

· The results sent from polling stations are manipulated by either the returning officer or his/her subordinates.

Dumping of ballot papers

· The dumping of ballot papers is done by the presiding officer and poll clerks at the polling station / streams. This method is effective only where there is cooperation among the polling staff. The pre-marked ballot papers are dumped or put in the ballot boxes at the polling stream by either the presiding officer or any chosen polling clerk.

· On the same, ballot boxes full of pre-marked ballot papers are brought to the polling station by agents of those who intend to rig election and exchange for the ones in use at the polling stream / station.

Illegal voting

· Another election rigging technique is referred to as illegal voting. This is a pre-arranged activity whereby not less than two poll clerks are used namely a clerk responsible for checking the particulars of a voter in the voters register and another responsible for checking as to whether the person has already cast his / her vote.

· This method is used in selected stations where the polling staff is undoubtedly loyal to the candidate(s) or political party which intend to rig the election.

· This electoral malpractice is also used in polling stations which are very close to the boundary.

Intimidation

· Threatening voters on the eve of the polling day with objectives to either prevent eligible voters from casting their votes or vote for someone who is not their choice.

· On the same, another method would be the deployment of agent(s) of a particular candidate(s) or political party strategically on selected routes leading to the polling station. The aim is to use threats which may force the electorate to vote against their conscience.

· During the voting process, the recommended electoral procedure is that ballots should be distributed to a voter at a particular time. However, when the presiding officer and poll clerks have sinister intentions, a poll clerk who is issuing ballots deliberately distributes ballots to several voters at a time so that a queue should be formed. Once this materialises, either a police or military officer is used to intimidate voters on the queue to vote against their wish.

Null and void techniques

· A poll clerk who is supposed to demonstrate to the voter on how to properly cast the vote, deliberately ill advises the voter. For example, to mark on two places on the ballot so that the vote should be declared null and void.

Conclusion

· The right to vote is the pillar of our democracy. It is the duty of the polling staff and monitors jointly to protect this voting right.

· When a monitor notices an electoral malpractice or irregularity by the polling staff, he/she should politely call to their attention. If the presiding officer or poll clerk(s) fail to rectify the problem or refuse to follow laid down procedures, then the monitor should properly record the incident in the complaints form available at the polling station and report the same to his/her superiors who may in turn notify the election authorities.

The Pan African Civic Educators Network (PACENET) is an NGO which strives to promote a culture of human rights and good governance focusing on issues of citizen (especially women) participation in decision making positions including politics.NORAD and Action Aid International Malawi are supporting PACENT activities on the 50-50 National Campaign for more women in Parliament, the release added.

AEP

Malawi Elections 2009 : Catholic priests urged to intensify voters civic education

2009-05-10T03:18:00.001-07:00

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Chikwawa diocese has asked priests in the diocese to use the pulpit to educate the electorate on the voting processes for the May 19 elections to avoid null and void votes. CCJP coordinator for Chikwawa diocese Lewis Msiyadungu told the priests at a meeting on Tuesday that they are better placed to provide such civic and voter education because of the church's structures.

"Time is running out. There are only two Sundays to the elections and I urge you to use the two days to give
that civic education," said Msiyadungu. He said that apart from the two Sundays, the priests could also use other days when Christians meet in their small communities.

Vicar General of the diocese Fr. Cosmas Chatsukwa said the priests were eager to conduct the civic education to reduce numbers of null and void votes.

Chatsukwa said Chikwawa diocese was among the areas that had highest numbers of null and void votes in the 2004 elections and "we want to reverse that situation".Chikwawa diocese has 14 parishes and covers Chikwawa and Nsanje districts. He also dislcosed that Chikwawa diocese was among the best civic educators for the registration exercise according to Malawi Electoral Support Network.

AEP

Malawi Elections : Women aspirants fight each other in Balaka North

2009-05-10T03:06:00.001-07:00

Balaka North is one of the very few constituencies in Malawi where an all-women tussle for Parliament has raged on since official opening of the campaign period in March. For women empowerment activists, that would have been a cause for hope and cerebration- that come what may on May19, one of their own will take that honorable walk to the house of laws.

The situation and the women say no- that women could carry the campaign tag with dignity and respect is simply believing in opium smoke as a five-course meal.

Two of the women contesting in the constituency- Gertrude Nkhani of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Gertrude Maseko (two gertrudes contesting in an all-women constituency that happens to be a rarity in this election) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)- agree that campaigning hasn't been the dignified process it was supposed to be.

Nkhani said she was disappointed that the women she is contesting against have been behaving like 'men"- foul language and disrespect for fellow contenders as if politics was a dirty game won by the toughest devil.

"Politics has been taken interpreted wrongly, here in Malawi, because people have not started dwelling on policies and ideologies. Instead, we personalize issues. Imagine, some of the contestants have conspired with chiefs to stop me from holding rallies or, if I do, they sent people to jerk at me. They speak all sorts of things, which is disappointing of women," said Nkhani.

She said she was largely disappointed with disruptive strategies employed by her competitors. Nkhani said the women were supposed to unite instead because, whatever happens, a woman will go to parliament from Balaka North this year.

Maseko, on her part, expressed similar sentiments. She said she had also been castigated by fellow women contestants, a development that showed lack of unity of purpose (in terms of women empowerment) but hoped that things would change as the country's democracy, like wine, comes of age.

"There is need for us, as women, to unite and show men how things should be done. We shouldn't be in the forefront castigating fellow women as has largely happened," said Maseko.

May19, 2009 could just be that other step towards maturity for Malawi's democracy; the way the Balaka North (constituency) women put it.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Malawi Elections : Domestic violence may affect women’s vote

2009-05-10T03:01:00.001-07:00

Home-based violence may affect women's vote

Policy failures to deal with perpetrators of home-based violence could disturb the pattern of influence of the much-touted women's vote, one of Malawi's well known victim of domestic violence Alesi Sinosi has warned.

Sinosi told a group of aspiring women members of parliament who met in Blantyre this week that her own experiences of domestic violence could shed more light into the role of men (husbands) in influencing women's votes.

She said, despite the voting process being secret, most women in rural areas still felt the influence of their abusive husbands in the ballot box, a fear compounded by lack of strategies on how to deal with such men after betraying them by voting for the candidate of the woman's choice.

"I have lived under an abusive husband for a long time myself, and know what I am talking about. I left my husband after the abuse went from bad to worse because I persevered from the early 1970's to some four years ago. If my husband told me to vote for a candidate of his choice, I would do that because of the fear," said Sinosi, from Malawi's Southern region district of Thyolo.

Sinosi, who is now part of a 'Women's Forum' initiative being implemented by Oxfam Malawi, electoral stakeholders needed to come up with anti-domestic violence strategies tailored specifically for local government, parliamentary and presidential elections, adding there were many Malawian women who were suffering in silent.

She said home-based violence had a direct bearing on electoral results, as some women still voted to suit the wishes of their husbands.

Eunice Chamgomo, NGO Gender Coordination Network 's coordinator, acknowledged that some men played a role in the electoral choices of their husbands, adding, however, that the only means through which the problem could be tackled was by empowering women by voting them into positions of influence.

"That's why, as NGO-GCN, we are fighting for women empowerment in the May19, 2009 elections. They can understand the needs of their fellow women better, and influence policies aimed at coming around such problems," said Chamgomo.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Malawi Elections : Commonwealth Announces Group to Observe Elections

2009-05-08T14:30:00.001-07:00

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) will be present during Malawi's general elections due to be held on 19 May 2009. The COG will be led by former Ghana President John Kufuor.

The Group was constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the invitation of the Malawi Electoral Commission.

"This is an important election and provides the people of Malawi with an opportunity to consolidate the democratic gains they have made since the end of one-party rule in 1994", the Secretary-General said.

The Commonwealth Observer Group will arrive in Malawi on 8 May 2009 and stay until 27 May 2009.

The Group's mandate is to observe the preparations for the election; the polling, counting and results process and the overall electoral environment. The Team is to assess the overall conduct of the process and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral process in Malawi.

The Group will act impartially and independently and shall conduct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

The Group's report will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will in turn send it to the Government of Malawi, the Malawi Electoral Commission, political parties, and eventually to all Commonwealth Governments.

The full composition of the Group:

H E Mr John Kufuor (Chair)

Former President, Ghana

Mr Mahfuz Anam

Editor & Publisher, The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Ms Alexandra Devon

International Governance Consultant, Canada

Mr David Henry

Former Chief Electoral Officer, New Zealand

Dr Jibrin Ibrahim

Director, Centre for Democracy and Development, Nigeria

Mr Des McNulty MSP

Member of the Scottish Parliament, UK

Ms Sheila Kawamara-Mishambi

Former Member of the East African Parliament, Uganda

Mr Malleh Sallah

Vice Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission, The Gambia

Ambassador (Mrs) Tabitha Seii

Chairperson, Education Centre for Women in Democracy, Kenya

Senator Kerrie Symmonds

Member of Senate and Attorney-at-Law, Barbados

Mr Mohamed Zahid

Vice President, Human Rights Commission, Maldives

PEFENAP reverses decision to sue EC

2009-05-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

One of the NGOs accredited by the Electoral Commission (EC) to carry out voter and civic education in preparation for the parliamentary and presidential elections says it has withdrawn its intention to sue commission for providing inadequate funds for the exercise.

The Peoples Federation for National Peace and Development (PEFENAP) also wanted to take the EC to court for compromising the voter and civic education exercise, saying failure by the electoral body to provide enough funding also meant denying voters the right to making informed decisions.

The organisation's executive director, Edward Chaka, disclosed in an interview PEFENAP decided to change position after realising that the process could derail the electoral process and increase cases of suspicions as well as violence.

Chaka said, however, the development should not throw the EC into the luxury seat but, rather, should act as a warning that, one day, Malawians may stand up and claim their political rights.

"We are an organisation that promoted peace. We thought that the suit could affect peace, which we stand for, and thus defeat the very same objectives we stand for. We have, therefore, withdrawn our intention but we want EC to learn and improve the way it conducts its business," said Chaka.

He said PEFENAP still felt that the general lack of civil society organisations to carry out comprehensive civic education programmes hinged on the electoral body's short-sightedness.

"Elections are a serious exercise, and deserve seriousness. They only come once, I mean the national elections, which means that any failure to engage all citizens in the electoral process could have adverse effects on their political rights," he said.

Chaka said PEFENAP would now engage EC in dialogue with the aim of sorting out the variious problems that cropped up in the run up to the forthcoming elections, as that was the only way EC would improve on the way it worked.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Blantyre political debate on

2009-05-08T14:22:00.001-07:00

Blantyre will this Sunday have its turn in the on going Electoral Commission (EC) political debate programme for the country's aspiring members of parliament.

EC Spokesperson, Fegus Lipenga, said the Blantyre debate was part of the electoral body's drive to increase the levels of awareness among voters, a move that compliments well with the general lack of comprehensive voters' civic education campaign by civil society organisations (CSO) accredited to to carry out the exercise.

Most of the CSOs, led by the Civil Liberties Committee (CILIC), have complained that inadequate funding impaired the exercise, a development they say could lead into unnecessary null and void votes.

CILIC Executive Director, Emmie Chanika, said this week inadequate funding for CSOs accredited to sensitise voters could be one of the biggest lessons to tap from this year's parliamentary and presidential elections.

But Lipenga, while acknowledging that there were problems pertaining to funding, said organisations that were accredited to carry out the exercise assured EC in their proposals of interest that they had the capacity to do the exercise on their own, hence no need for them to entirely depend on EC for financial resources.

He, however, added that the public political debates would help fill up the gap left by CSOs.

"That is why we would like to inform members of the public that we will have a political debate on Sunday at the Civic Centre in Blantyre. Let them come and hear for themselves from their prospective MPs. It helps people make informed choices," said Lipenga.

Lipenga said the political debates would continue in other districts, as May19, 2009- elections' day- fast approaches.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

National Tally Centre for Malawi Elections take Shape

2009-05-08T10:52:00.001-07:00

Some redesigning and space demarcation is underway at the National Tally Centre in the Comesa Hall in Blantyre. The hall is where the elections results will be tallied and released. A spot visit by the African Election Team in Malawi found several construction workers working into the wee hours of Friday at eleven days to May 19^th.

According to an oficial of the Malawi Electoral Commission, they are happy with the progress of the work on site. Some of the space in the building will be used by various political parties, observers, the media and other stakeholders.

The team however could not establish if the centre will be ready by polling day May 19^th.

Beyond polling day, Malawians will have their ears and eyes glued to the certified results coming out of this centre whose critical role will likely to stretch from the night to May 21 if a previous pattern is to be expected.

The Comesa Hall, probably the biggest in the city is within walking distance from Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, the High Court, University of Malawi and the Police.

Malawi Elections : MESN gives up on parallel tally centre

2009-05-07T13:44:00.001-07:00

Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN) has given up on plans to have its own parallel tally centre after government opposed to the idea.
MESN chairperson Aloysius Nthenda told AEP on Tuesday that despite pressure from several organizations to have a parallel tally centre, MESN has reversed its plan to have the centre and that he was surprised to hear President Bingu wa Mutharika talk about with African Union Commission chairperson Jean Ping during a dinner at Sanjika Palace on Saturday.
"We shall not have parallel tally centre although the matter keeps coming in several meetings to have it," said Nthenda.
Early this year, Nthenda said MESN would have its own parallel centre despite government opposing to the idea. This means that there will be only one tally centre by the Malawi Electoral Commission.

Mutharika said the parallel tally centre notion would cause problems, especially in a situation where there would be two names as victors instead of one person. He said in such a scenario "there would be war".

"This is a sovereign nation. Let's work with the Electoral Commission. Give them a chance. Malawi won't accept a parallel tally centre," he said.---AEP

PAC prepares clergy for post election conflict

2009-05-07T13:35:00.001-07:00

The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) is preparing clergy in Malawi to diffuse tension that may arise after the May 19 elections due to differences over the results.
PAC is a mother body of all religious groups in the country. Speaking at a meeting in the commercial capital of Blantyre, PAC chairperson Fr. Boniface Tamani said religious leaders have a duty to prepare the minds of both presidential candidates and supporters that there can only be one winner in an election.

"We do not want people to deliberately reject the results because they want to go into government through a power sharing deal," said Tamani.
Tamani said it is not in PAC's interest to see Malawi going through the Kenya and Zimbabwe post election scenarios.

Deputy British High Commissioner Wendy Freeman challenged the religious leaders to use their collective voice to prevent conflict.

AEP