Press Statement

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 25May 2014. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is closely following the post-election situation in Malawiand the growing anxiety over the operational challenges in the election phaseand the announcement of the results. She calls for the general public and political party leaders to exercise some calm and allow the Malawi Electoral Commission to complete its job.

She congratulates Malawians for the peace and tranquility that has prevailed thus far, despite some challenges in particular delays in the processing of the results. She notes that until now the MEC has released only results from 31% of the polling centres; received 139 complaints from political parties; detected some anomalies in only 19 out of a total of 1,333 polling centres. She further notes that the MEChas, therefore, taken action to quarantine those results and since instituted investigations.

The Chairperson takes this opportunity to call on all Malawian leaders, political parties, civil society organisations and all other key stakeholders to exercise utmost restraint and allow the MEC to discharge its mandate in completing the electoral process taking due cognizance of the independence of the MEC and the integrity of the poll. The MEC must be allowed to take the process to its logical conclusion bearing in mind that Malawi and Malawians deserve to preserve their peace and strengthen their democracy, and uphold constitutionalism and rule of law.

The Chairperson encourages political parties with any elections-related grievances to seek redress through the competent institutions as provided by the laws of the country.

She notes that a peaceful Malawi is not only good for Malawians, but it is also good for Africa as a whole. She wishes Malawians joyful Africa Day celebrations.

JEE/