MEC IN WEEK-LONG CAPACITY BUILDING IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE POLLS

By Kenson McCloud 

The Malawi Electoral Commission has opened a 5-day clinic for commissioners dubbed Bridge Course in preparation for forthcoming elections and on-going demarcation exercise.

In an interview with the media, MEC chairperson for electoral commission support services Olivia Liwewe said the workshop will give the commissioners the much needed additional skills in order to perform duties to perfection.r

"For the on-going demarcation of wards and constituency to be credible MEC has to meet international standards in line with legal provisions," said Liwewe. 

The commissioner says they will make sure all concerned parties at all levels are given an opportunity to give opinion on the demarcation exercise.

Liwewe said, " So far government has released MWK1 Billion of the MWK1.9 Billion budgeted for the commission to conduct the exercise." 

Currently, the commission is going into the second phase of the exercise which will involve engaging different stakeholders after engaging all political parties and leaders.

In his remarks, International Foundation for Electoral System, Electoral Management Program advisor in Malawi, Pavel Cabacenco, emphasised that for the exercise to be successful the commission has to show professionalism, accountability and neutrality.