Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has said it is very unlikely that the electoral body will hold the Mchinji West Constituency by-elections on May 10 as planned despite some political parties having intensified preparations for the polls.
The seat fell vacant after its holder Billy Kanjira Banda (Malawi Congress Party – MCP) died earlier last month.
Responding to The Daily Times inquiry, Mec Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, said the commission is not sure when the by-elections will be held.
“Even if the funds were made available today, Mec would not just compress the programme to meet the date. That would compromise quality and stakeholder participation,” Mwafulirwa said.
He said discussions on funding for the polls are under way.
“The other effect of this delay is that the term of office for the current commissioners ends on May 18. As such, they will have to wait for the next commission to be appointed to conduct these by-elections,” said Mwafulirwa.
He said the prerogative to appoint commissioners is vested in the President who under the current law is supposed to consult with leaders of political parties in Parliament.
“I cannot say when the new commission will be in place and in the same vein I cannot say the actual date the by-elections will be held,” said Mwafulirwa.
However, Mwafulirwa said Mec is committed to holding the by-elections as soon as feasible, adding the factors delaying the process are beyond the commission’s control.
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