20100810
africanews

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced the much awaited November 23, 2010 Local Government Elections (LGE) may not take place soonest. The elections have been moved several times - with the mainly government supported electoral body saying it was not ready.

The development has attracted outcries from the local non-governmental organisations and opposition political parties. They have demanded an electoral calendar be released in two weeks and a new date be established.

MEC said it cannot pinpoint a date at the meantime as some preparations, including purchase of electoral materials from abroad were not yet finalised.

Aloysius Nthenda, spokesperson for the Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN) which represents about 70 NGOs, said: "We are very disappointed. As MESN we have advocated for these elections to take place and thought this time the world."

Malawi Congress Party, the main opposition in Parliament, said through its spokesperson Nancy Tembo they will wait and see what happens.

"We earlier as the MCP indicated that November 23 was not convenient. MEC insisted all was well and we are amused at the turn of events. We need to be told why the polls have really been postponed," she said.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) also said it was not happy of the development.

"I do not think these elections will be held at all. Let us all wait and see," said secretary general, Kennedy Makwangwala.

Many see that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government is deliberately frustrating the elections, tipped to become a clear barometer of the distrust the general public has built over President Bingu wa Mutharika's style of leadership.

Meanwhile, others allege this is also the reason behind the firing of eminent politician, Goodal Gondwe, from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and cabinet in whole during a mini reshuffle on 9th August, Monday.