By Pemphero Malimba:
Vice President Michael Usi, who is also president of Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu Party, says there is a need for Malawians to uphold peace as they await the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec)’s announcement of the results of the September 16 general election.
At least four million people cast their votes in 229 constituencies across the country on Tuesday last week.
Eligible voters elected a president, members of Parliament and ward councillors in their respective areas.
In a statement, Usi said peace was crucial at a time when the commission was finalising the electoral processes of the election.
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“As one of the presidential candidates and a proud citizen of the Republic of Malawi, I call upon all Malawians to exercise restraint and uphold peace as we await [Mec] to announce the final results of our general elections,” Usi said.
He then reminded Malawians that they have only one Malawi to keep and protect.
Mec Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja also called for patience among Malawians as the commission continued finalising the electoral process for this year’s elections.
Mtalimanja insisted that the electoral body was committed to delivering results that are not only lawful but also trusted by the people, thereby strengthening democracy and reinforcing national unity.
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“The commission wishes to inform the nation that it will continue to sit without interruption to ensure that the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot, is respected and announced in a timely manner.
“In line with the law, the commission has a maximum of eight days within which to declare the final results of the presidential election,” she said.
The Mec chairperson added that during the period, all submitted results would undergo thorough verification, reconciliation and confirmation to guarantee accuracy, transparency and credibility.
Usi was one of the 17 candidates in this year’s presidential election, in which unofficial results indicate he has performed poorly.
The race appears to be largely between incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party.
