…chaos can lead to civil war, whole process faulty
…parties to hold demonstrations, vigils from Wed
“My message today is to the Electoral Commission, not that I have not attempted to approach them, I want to tell the National Registration Bureau (NRB) that whatever you are doing, don’t say that we the old guard did not warn you. I want you to know to know what you are doing to Malawians sending them back could start a civil war in future,” Dr. Joyce Banda, Malawi’s fourth Republican President has warned.
She said she has been frustrated by inaction and lack of response from the MEC and NRB over the ongoing electoral chaos where hundreds of eligible voters are being denied registering by MEC officials.
The High Court in October ruled that the NRB should be present and register all eligible voters at every registration station, a development The Investigator Magazine has found in over 56 centres across the country where it has not been implemented.
But MEC is pressing on and refusing to listen to the main election’s stakeholders – mainly opposition parties.
President Banda who ruled Malawi from 2012 to 2014 rarely speaks on political issues which her team calls “opting for diplomacy” however issued a stern podium warning to the MEC and NRB which indicates the serious of the matter.
“We heard on radio that court said everyone should register. The people will come to vote on voting day, you MEC and NRB refused them. The people will start fighting at polling centres and that will be the end of elections,” said Banda in rural town of Kasungu.
The former Malawi leader said in Zomba the NRB officials did not turn up in many centres and in the centres where they were available, they left by 10 am leaving hundreds of prospective voters failing to register to vote.
“People are facing difficulties across the country. It doesn’t matter which region they are. We are saying the electoral process is faulty. The electoral process is in shambles and that can lead to chaos when voting,” emphasised Banda.
No new registration by NRB, 60% of registration centres
The Investigator Magazine has spoken to polling staff- saying the teams comprised of Police, MEC and NRB in all districts during the first phase did not actually register for NRB at the centres and they were sent away to register.
“All centres in districts like Neno and Machinga had NRB staff, but they had only a table to verify names of those that had registered. No new registration was being done at the centre,” explained the staff.
In Zomba, President Banda confirmed that several centres did not have NRB staff, saying “we are compiling evidence” while Zomba Ntonya MP Ned Phoya decried on social media that “The incompetence of NRB” is stinking saying there have not been any new registration at any of the centres.
“The NRB has not adjusted to implement the court ruling, there was nothing like that in Phalombe, Karonga and everywhere they went. Parties are presenting genuine concerns, and they are being ignored by MEC and NRB,” said an official from a public agency who was worried about the turn of events so far.
Opposition parties to hold demos’, vigils
Opposition parties the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), Alliance for Democracy (Aford), Liberation for Economic Freedom and Economic Freedom Movement alongside groups such as Malawi First have asked MEC Chair Annabel Mtalimanja to leave the commission for being linked to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Judge Mtalimanja is being asked to leave with her Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi who is accused to have worked as a political assistant and volunteer for President Lazarus Chakwera’s 2013 campaign.
The demonstrations slated for Wednesday 13 November 2024 will be the beginning of another chapter of protests against MEC four years after intense demonstrations led to nullification of 2019 President Elections results.
Justice Jane Ansah resisted the calls to pave way after the elections which saw DPP President Peter Mutharika declared winner. The win was eventually nullified by the Constitutional Court noting shortfalls in the process of conducting elections.
The court also inserted the clarification that majority votes in the constitution meant 50% +1 which has led to the ruling MCP to fear the possibility of failing to attain majority in the South and North of Malawi where recent polls indicate its leader President Chakwera has only 5% popularity ratings.
If Judge Mtalimanja leaves the stage, she will be following the example of Justice William Hanjahanja who had to leave months before elections after then opposition parties that included the MCP expressed dissatisfaction in handling of elections. Mtalimanja is a daughter of MCP third President John Tembo.
It is yet to be seen if President Chakwera will react, but he is known to be indecisive until things go out of control.
OUR ANALYSIS: Judge Mtalimanja, NRB should know, elections belong to Malawians
Malawians do not need to demonstrate to move the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and National Registration Bureau (NRB) to hear their concerns. Section 12 of the Republican Constitution is clear- power is held and dispensed on behalf of Malawians. It does not say on behalf of the ruling party.
Those hundreds that have been returned at registration centres are Malawians. Judge Mtalimanja and NRB are responsible for denying those Malawians their constitutional right to vote and choose a government of choice.
It is more worrisome that after a High court ruling that NRB should register everyone at the centre, this has clearly not happened. Being a Judge Mtalimanja should be the last to defy her own court orders.
With the chaos so far, the two need to pave way for an individual that will not be seen as working for one party against others. Otherwise history will remember their arrogance and chaos, should they stick around and fail to listen.
Power, after all is never forever, it comes and go. You are better off leaving a legacy of a good Malawian not an arrogant one who created chaos. Unless of course you don’t listen!
