Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson condemns parties
Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Chairperson, Jane Ansah, has condemned other political parties for shunning by-elections, saying this brings to light the need for the Political Parties Bill.
“This is a fifth set of by-elections being held since May 2014. Only four political parties have been participating [in them] consistently out of the 55 parties that are registered in the country. Parties exist to contest in elections, get into positions and influence policies. If political parties are not contesting even in by-elections, which elections are they going to contest in? We echo the call for enactment of the Political Parties Bill to address issues like this one,” Ansah said.
Ansah was speaking Wednesday at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre where the commission announced official results of Tuesday’s by-elections.
Since the 2014 elections, only the Democratic Progressive Party, Malawi Congress Party, People’s Party and United Democratic Front have participated in the by-elections.
Mec held Tuesday’s by-elections after five seats fell vacant because of deaths while Lilongwe City South East fell vacant after the Supreme Court of Appeal nullified the results of the 2014 elections.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
