Malawi's parties warned not to prematurely declare election victory

Malawi Election: Parties Warned Against Premature Victory Declarations Amidst Conflicting Claims

Lilongwe, Malawi – As Malawi braces for the official announcement of its general election results, a palpable tension hangs in the air. Both President Lazarus Chakwera's Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the main opposition party, led by former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), have independently declared victory. This premature self-proclamation has prompted stern warnings from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and civil society organizations, urging restraint and respect for the official process.

The stakes are incredibly high in this closely contested election, which saw millions of Malawians head to the polls on Tuesday, June 11th, to elect their president, members of parliament, and local councillors. With the final tallying process underway, the electoral body is under immense pressure to deliver credible and timely results. However, the conflicting claims from the two leading political forces have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the nation's democratic process, raising concerns about potential unrest and a protracted electoral dispute.

Conflicting Claims Fuel Electoral Anxiety

Sources within both the MCP and the DPP camps have been vocal about their perceived triumphs. Supporters of President Chakwera point to internal projections and anecdotal evidence from polling stations, suggesting a strong performance that would secure him a second term. Simultaneously, the DPP, under the leadership of Peter Mutharika, has also asserted that their internal counts indicate a decisive win for their candidate. This parallel universe of victory declarations is a recipe for political instability, especially given Malawi's history of post-election disputes.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has been quick to douse these premature celebrations. MEC Chairperson, Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale, issued a strong admonishment to all political parties, emphasizing that only the commission has the constitutional mandate to declare election results. "We are aware of the claims being made by various political parties," Dr. Kachale stated in a press briefing. "However, I wish to reiterate that these are unofficial and unverified statements. The MEC is the sole body responsible for announcing the official results, and we urge all parties to respect this process and await the final declaration."

The electoral body has also appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid engaging in any form of celebration or protest based on unconfirmed reports. The meticulous nature of vote counting and transmission, involving multiple stages from polling station to national tally centre, means that the process is inherently time-consuming. Rushing to declare a winner before all votes are accounted for risks disenfranchising voters and undermining the integrity of the entire electoral exercise. It's a delicate dance between political ambition and democratic responsibility, isn't it?

Civil Society's Call for Transparency and Peace

Beyond the electoral commission, a chorus of voices from Malawian civil society organizations has joined the call for responsible conduct. Groups such as the Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN) and the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) have expressed deep concern over the parties' premature declarations. They argue that such actions serve to polarize the electorate and create an environment ripe for manipulation and potential violence.

Mr. Maxwell Mkumba, a spokesperson for MESN, highlighted the dangers of unchecked partisan pronouncements. "When political parties, especially those with significant followings, preemptively claim victory, it can create a dangerous narrative that delegitimizes the official process," Mkumba explained. "This can lead to frustration, anger, and potentially, violent reactions from supporters who feel their candidate has been cheated. We implore all parties to exercise statesmanship and trust in the institutions established to manage our elections."

The civil society organizations are actively engaged in election observation, deploying monitors across the country to ensure transparency and fairness at every stage of the electoral process. Their reports, once compiled, will be crucial in verifying the integrity of the results. However, their work is made significantly more challenging when the political atmosphere is already charged with unsubstantiated claims of victory.

Lessons from the Past and the Path Forward

Malawi's electoral history is not without its contentious moments. The 2020 presidential election, which saw President Chakwera elected after a landmark court-ordered rerun, was a stark reminder of the consequences of disputed results. While that election was ultimately resolved through legal channels, the preceding period was marked by significant political tension and public anxiety. The current situation, while perhaps not as overtly fraught as in 2020, carries echoes of that same potential for discord.

The MEC faces the daunting task of not only accurately counting and announcing the votes but also of effectively communicating the process to a populace eager for a definitive outcome. Transparency in the tallying process, with observers from all parties present, is paramount. Furthermore, the commission must ensure that the transmission of results from the constituency level to the national tally centre is secure and verifiable, thereby mitigating any grounds for suspicion.

For the political parties, the onus is on them to demonstrate maturity and a commitment to democratic principles. Instead of engaging in a race to declare victory, they should be focusing on ensuring their representatives at the tally centres are diligent and that they are prepared to accept the official verdict of the Malawian people. The future stability and democratic health of Malawi depend on their responsible actions in these critical hours.

As the nation waits, the message from electoral authorities and civil society is clear: patience, peace, and respect for the electoral process are not just desirable; they are essential for the continued democratic journey of Malawi. The world is watching, and the way this electoral season concludes will undoubtedly shape the nation's trajectory for years to come. Will the parties heed the warnings, or will the temptation of premature celebration lead to further complications? Only time, and the MEC's official pronouncements, will tell.