20100628
africanews

The United Nations Development Programme is making available US$1 million funds towards Malawi's Local Government Elections slated for August.

Assistant Resident Representative of the UNDP Fred Mwathengere told the press government adopted the 2010/2011 budget in which MK2 billion is meant for the polls, whose timing is disputed by political parties as 'too close' to allow adequate preparations and campaign.

"Yes, the funds are available," he confirmed.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced the polls would take place this year around August.

However, Mwathengere assured the parties everything has been carefully looked into in consultation with other stakeholders.

"Some logistics in the running of the polls will be handled by the UNDP. We are in consultation with the finance ministry and MEC. Hopefully, technical assistance will be deployed within the next few weeks to support the electoral body through the polls," he said.

The parties, supported by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), an organization that is behind financial and resource support of some main political parties in the country, however, insist the polls must be shifted.

"The date is too close to have donors fully support the polls," expressed CMD's executive director, Kizito Tenthani at a Political Leaders Training recently. "We asked MEC on behalf of the political parties to consider the timing."

"There is a general understanding the timeframe is very constrained. A major effort will be needed for parties to stick to the current poll timetable," Mwathengere added.