Macra, former MPs weigh in on elections case
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has warned of negative consequences against broadcasters who would depart from responsible broadcasting during and after the presidential election results case ruling.
This comes at a time when the nation is eagerly waiting for the Constitutional Court’s verdict scheduled to be delivered in Lilongwe tomorrow.
The authority says it “shall not hesitate to invoke regulatory action against any broadcaster who will be in breach of the Communication Act.”
While commending the media for playing an important role in disseminating accurate information to the society, Macra has warned of negative consequences against irresponsible broadcasting.
“All broadcasters are encouraged to ensure broadcasting that upholds public safety, order and tranquility of our nation during the crucial period,” reads part of the press release that Macra has issued.
Meanwhile, the Association of Former Members of Parliament (AFMP) has joined several sectors of the society in appealing for peace and calm after the court ruling.
The former MPs have called all Malawians to uphold the rule of law at “this critical moment in our democracy.”
AFMP through its secretary general, Ronald Chanthunya, has urged citizens to use the “opportunity” to demonstrate that Malawians are peace loving people.
“We appeal to all party supporters and the general public to coexist despite our differences,” Chanthunya says.
The Constitutional Court through five judges is expected to make a ruling on the historical elections case in which Malawi Congress Party and UTM are challenging the results of May 2019 elections.
Leaders of the two parties, Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima respectively want the court to nullify the presidential elections results that ushered Peter Mutharika into his second term arguing that they were marred with irregularities.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
