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The [Malawi
Electoral] Commission (MEC) has noted with grave concern and deep regret a misleading
and malicious statement from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) inciting hatred
and unkindness towards MEC lawyers and staff that have been going to various
district councils to meet with presiding officers to collect information for
filing in defence of its action as demanded by the on-going presidential
election court case.
In its statement
released on July 13, 2019, the MCP is calling on Malawians to be vigilant
towards and apprehend MEC lawyers and staff that have been going around
collecting relevant information for the court case. The MCP statement falsely
alleges that MEC staff are collecting signatures for “clandestine result sheets
in exchange for money”.
The Commission would
like to dispute and condemn the statement in its entirety as malicious,
misleading and aiming jeopardising the preparations by MEC in respect of the
case in court.
The public should
know that MEC lawyers and staff are meeting presiding officers to prepare for
affidavits for the on-going court case. No presiding officer has been
requested, forced or induced with money to sign for a new election results
sheet or form as alleged in the statement issued by the MCP.
The truth of the
matter is that MEC lawyers and staff are in the process of preparing documents demanded
by courts in defence of the action taken by the
Commission in the
declaration of the presidential results of the 2019 TPE currently under
dispute.
The Commission would,
therefore, like to express its disappointment with this careless statement as
it has created animosity and endangered the lives and property of MEC staff.
There are now threats issued to MEC staff from several quarters following this
very careless and irresponsible statement.
In this regard, MEC
is calling upon the MCP to withdraw this statement unconditionally or else MEC
will make necessary applications in court for redress. The Commission also
wishes to state that the MCP shall be held accountable for any loss of life of
MEC staff or lawyers or loss or damage to property in the course of this exercise.
URGED TO BE CAREFUL: Electoral stakeholders
It is the sincere
expectation of the Commission that all electoral stakeholders and the general
public will take time to verify matters before issuing careless and inciting
statements that have potential for dangerous repercussions in this country.
Signed this 14th day of July, 2019
Sam Alfandika
Chief Elections
Officer
