Media Appeal For Support For MEC On The 2014 Tripartite Elections

PRESS RELEASE

Blantyre, 27th May 2014

We, the representatives of the Association of Malawi Media Owners, AMMO; the Media Council of Malawi, MCM; and the Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, MISA wish to appeal to all stakeholders to support the Malawi Electoral Commission, MEC, in its current efforts, as mandated by law, to resolve the challenges emanating from the Tripartite Elections.



We wish to support a process that is clear and that is aimed at avoiding failed elections because of huge consequences that would arise from such a failure.




We recognise the challenges that have confronted the Commission. We also recognise that MEC is legally mandated to manage the elections process without undue interference. We therefore appeal to all players to give the Commission space to carry out its mandate as required by law.




If a national re-count of ballots is one way of resolving the issues that have come before the Commission, we urge all stakeholders to act diligently, responsibly and professionally. In the event that this does not provide the solution, then a political solution should be seriously considered.




We appeal for calm and patience from all stakeholders including journalists and media houses for the electoral process to be fully respected and be given an opportunity to run its full course.





Signed:

A.S. Osman

Acting Publicity Secretary

AMMO Secretariat

BLANTYRE