MEC rebuffs DPP to participate in verifying null and void votes

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—In a clear demonstration that president Peter Mutharika is at pain to accept the results of the fresh presidential election, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) filed an application to participate in the verification of null and void votes at the national tally centre in Blantyre.

Responding, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Justice Chifundo Kachale says the exercise is provided for in the law and does not require participation of political parties.

Kachale made the remarks on Thursday at the main tally centre at College of Medicine in Blantyre as he was updating the media on the vote counting progress.

MEC has so far announced official results from only six districts but unofficial results have already tipped incumbent President Peter Mutharika to start parking at the State House, paving way for Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera.

Mec Chairperson Kachale also said tabulation and processing of the presidential election results is taking a bit of time because they are verifying the results they received with all the polling stations separately.

Mec is expected to announce the winner of the court-sanctioned election today Friday or tomorrow.

Maneno Chimulala

I am a journalist, educator, and activist with passion for telling stories about social justice, sports and political issues. I graduated from Mzuzu University. I started my career at the Maravi Post online publication in 2012 as an intern while in college. Upon graduating from Mzuzu University I was offered a job as Sports Reporter because of my background as a goalkeeper and rose to the position of sub editor. I also had a short stint with Nyasatimes, Malawi Punch and Malawi Digest. Over the past seven years, I have worked intimately with rural organizations and communities in Malawi on human rights, girl child education and grassroots development projects. With an academic background in education, I also volunteer as male champion for girls’ education under Girls Empowerment Networks (GENET) in Malawi’s South West Education Division (SWED).