BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Despite the Supreme Court found the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners incompetent in management of 2019 presidential poll, one of the key commissioners Jean Mathanga has today told journalists that she is not incompetent as it is alleged by different quarters and has insisted that she will not resign until her contract comes to an end on 15^th June this year.

Commissioner Mathanga made the remarks at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe when she was addressing the media on some of the emerging issues in regards to the electoral body’s preparation for the forthcoming fresh presidential election.

“The answer is I am not resigning. I will continue disseminating or discharging my duties to the end of 15^th June which is a matter of few weeks from now,” she said in response to a question posed by media staffer who branded her and fellow commissioners incompetent.

“I would not to agree with you gentleman. I am not incompetent,” she added.

In her presentation, Mathanga pleaded with all stakeholders to consult with the electoral body before making false allegations on social media platforms in regards to electoral issues.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in the course of the preparations for the elections, a number of issues have been raised through the media and also complaints have been filed with the commission. These issues have enjoyed media limelight, extensive coverage and commentary.

“This is why the commission in collaboration with the NRB have organized this press briefing to explain to the media how the voters’ register is constructed using the NRB database,” she said.

She added: “Ladies and gentlemen, before I conclude my speech allow me to reiterate the commitment of the commission to engage with stakeholders regarding the preparation of the elections.

“Without suppressing dissent and freedom of expression, it would be advisable if stakeholders engage the commission before making outbursts and misinformed allegations in the media. It is not in the interest of the commission to be exposing ignorance of its stakeholders on electoral issues like we will be doing. These scenarios can be avoided if there are constant consultations.”

Mathanga also reminded the general public that the commission will open all centres in councils covered in phase 4 for five days to process transfers and issue duplicate certificates from 23 to 27 May, 2020.

The councils include Nkhata Bay, Kasungu District, Kasungu Municipality, Mangochi Town, Mangochi District, Nkhotakota, Machinga, Chiradzulu and Mwanza.

The commission will also reopen all centres in councils covered in phase 1 for one day on 1 june, 2020 for people to go and process transfers.

According to Mathanga, this is because phase 1 ended with a day to go.

For Blantyre City, where centres were closed prematurely because of violence, the commission will open centres for three days from 1 to 3 June, 2020 for people to process transfers and get duplicate certificates.

MEC held the press briefing with an aim of clarifying some issues raised by political parties as the country is preparing to have fresh presidential election on a date to be announced by the electoral body.

MEC initially set July 2 for the poll but it made a u-turn few days ago saying the commission has no mandate to set date for the election, pushing the responsibility to the parliament.