… opposition should be scared
The Malawi Electoral Commission and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) have been accused of colluding to manipulate elections in favor of President Lazarus Chakwera. Despite previous denials, they jointly complained to the police, leading to the arrest of influencer Julius Mithi.
The two bodies have flatly refused independent audits of their registration data base and MEC has insisted previously stated that NRB role was simply in registration but not management of elections data base and voters.
But in confirming Mithi’s arrest on Monday evening National Police Headquarters spokesperson Kalaya confirmed that his arrest was due to a joint complaint by MEC and the NRB.
Mithi’s post had stated that it was unverified that about 1.1 million voters had been deleted in the elections data base.
This is the first time in the history of MEC that it has sought Police intervention in an election year where it is expected to play a neutral role in management of elections. The opposition parties which are enjoying popular appeal have expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of the electoral process and MEC appears to be paying a deaf ear to all complaints from the opposition.
MEC itself confirmed that some names were missing but continues to refuse to give access to the data base for an independent audit raising questions about credibility of the elections.
The joint complaint by the two bodies and the treatment of Mithi who is an ardent DPP supporter should scare opposition parties that the institutions are giving different information from the real practice where they are even colluding, an electoral expert said.
“MEC cannot get everyone arrested, they will have no election to manage. Let them explain to the public, allow strong independent monitoring and audits, then they can genuinely prove their credibility. This joint complaint against Mithi exposes their hidden operations. Mithi’s lawyers would demand access to the data base by bring on their own expert,” said the expert who said the arrest follows similar pattern with other opposition or critical voices against President Lazarus Chakwera and his MCP.
“At area 30 there are special officers aligned to the ruling party. The question is when did the MEC and NRB meet and decided to lodge a complaint. Are there minutes of the Commission or there is another forum MEC and NRB are getting instructions from . This case will open a pandora box,” said another.
