The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) has allowed the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) to procure goods worth K5 billion from K1 billion without submitting a No Objection from the authority.
PPDA Board Member Jacob Nyirongo disclosed this in Salima District when they trained Mec management members in procurement.
“The authority has raised thresholds; for example, for Mec, goods have moved from K1 billion to K5 billion. All this is meant to provide the much-needed flexibility in responding to the unique demands of electoral processes,” Nyirongo said
He said Mec strives to uphold democratic principles upon which Malawi is built.
According to Nyirongo, the adjustment not only facilitates smooth operations but also ensures that Mec can focus resources on its core mandate of delivering credible elections to the people of Malawi.
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He said that in recent times, the authority has recognised challenges faced by Mec, especially in the run-up to crucial electoral events; hence, PPDA seeks to support Mec in clearing its act.
Nyirongo added that the authority is a critical partner in ensuring the integrity and credibility of democratic processes.
“Our role, as the PPDA, extends far beyond the mere oversight of procurement processes, and it encompasses a commitment to upholding the principles of transparency, fairness and efficiency, particularly in critical institutions such as yours, the Malawi Electoral Commission,” he said.
On his part, Mec Chairperson Judge Chifundo Kachale said the training could not have come at a better time than now, when the commission is intensifying preparations for the 2025 general elections.
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Voter registration is scheduled for September this year.
“With increased preparatory activities come increased procurements and expenditures. It, therefore, becomes imperative that the commission and management become apprised of the provisions of the law and the processes,” Kachale said.
He said the procurement of goods, works and services is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it is a cornerstone of credible elections.
According to the Mec chairperson, the goods and services they procure, ranging from ballot papers, polling booths, ink to voter registration forms, among others, are tangible components that enable citizens to exercise their right to vote.
He, therefore, said the process by which Mec procures materials must adhere to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and impartiality.
