Malawi electoral body snubs MCP using Tonse alliance symbol on polls

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The embattled Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has rebuffed Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) application to have amendment on the presidential ballot paper symbol.

MCP applied to MEC to let the party use a fusion of MCP and UTM symbols to reflect the UTM and MCP electoral alliance.

In a leaked letter in our possession dated May 15, 2020 and signed by MEC chairperson Jane Ansah the commission rejected the application on grounds that MCP did not notify the registrar of political parties on any changes on symbols to be used on ballot paper in the forth coming presidential election.

MEC argues that MCP is registered as a party and that the symbols are regulated by Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act of 2018 whereas the new symbol is not.

But MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa disputes authentic of the letter, “I dont know about it”.

The commission decision comes after the supreme Court stressed that things should remain what it was before 21 May 21 2019 with the same voters roll and presidential candidates.

This means Tonse Alliance will use MCP black cock symbol on the ballot paper of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and Dr. Saulos Chilima as presidential candidate and runningmate respectively.

Malawi is expected to hold fresh presidential elections following February 3, 2020 nullification of May 21, 2019 polls.

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.