Malawi Electoral Commission Offers Balloting Services, Sets New Guidelines
The new guidelines aim to streamline the process and ensure fair access to the commission's expertise in electoral matters.
LILONGWE, Malawi — The Malawi Electoral Commission announced Tuesday it will continue providing balloting services to political parties and organizations, while establishing new guidelines for the process, writes Winston Mwale.
The commission, which oversees national elections and referenda, has for years assisted various groups with their internal voting procedures.
This service aims to enhance the credibility and legitimacy of electoral processes within organizations.
"The Commission regularly offers balloting services to political parties and other organizations which presents it with the opportunity for enhancing credibility and legitimacy of electoral processes," the statement read.
Services offered include printing voter registers and ballot papers, designing results sheets, and supervising polling and vote counting.
However, the commission emphasized that these services are provided on a cost-recovery basis.
"An organization that wishes to have its elections facilitated by officers of the Commission bears all the costs reasonably incurred in rendering the service," said Sangwani Mwafulirwa, Director of Media and Public Relations.
Organizations seeking the commission's assistance must provide written notice at least three weeks before their election.
They must also submit a list of contested positions, eligible candidates, and voters at least three days prior.
Notably, the commission stated it will not be involved in political parties' primary elections, either through direct balloting services or technical guidance.
The new guidelines aim to streamline the process and ensure fair access to the commission's expertise in electoral matters.