Malawi’s Vice President Everton Chimulirenji on Monday commended Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for its significant contribution in strengthening democracy in the country for the past 20 years.
The Vice-President expressed his gratitude when he officially opened the Electoral Commissions Forum of Southern Africa Development Community (ECF SADC) countries at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.
“MEC has, for the time of its existence, administered credible elections. This has helped to promote democracy in the country which is still growing strong,” said Chimulirenji.
The Vice-President, therefore, gave an assurance to MEC that government will continue giving the electoral body the support it needs to operate and also remain an effective and active member of the ECF SADC.
“We do make an undertaking to continue with the support so that the commission should continue to remain a professional, impartial and independent body in order to serve Malawians in safeguarding their will,” said Chimulirenji.
He said government will also continue to observe the provision where the commission is to operate independently and not take directions from any authority regarding the discharge of its duties as stated in the Constitution.
MEC’s Chairperson and ECF SADC President, Justice Jane Ansah said the commission was honoured to hold the conference at a time when it was celebrating its 20 years anniversary.
Ansah said the conference was of benefit to the country as it will continue to learn from other bodies to improve election management in the country.
“ECF SADC serves as a platform whereby as electoral management bodies, we share knowledge and skills as well as pointing out the shortcomings on a number of elections’ thematic areas with the view to improve the delivery of elections in our various jurisdictions,” said Ansah.
The conference, involving 14 SADC countries, is running under the theme ‘Enhancing the credibility of elections through observation’ and has been scheduled to take place up to September 27, 2019.
Original reporting by MANA
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