MALAWI: Election registration process slammed

A group of six foreign observers monitoring Malawi's registration exercise for the country's second democratic elections have criticised the process as flawed. In a report received by IRIN, the observers note: "The overwhelming problem affecting the process was the lack of registration materials at registration centres." It continues: "As of 30 April there were centres which had not opened or centres which were open but without sufficient materials. Consequently, potential voters were denied the opportunity to register." Turning to the management of the registration process, the report says: "There was no consistent implementation of a distribution plan for materials and no uniform approach to distribution problems." It adds that the figures on projected voters proved to be inaccurate. Malawi's Law Society on Wednesday recommended to the electoral commission the reconvening of parliament to amend the electoral law to postpone the election date. This follows the commission's decision to extend the registration date to 14 May due to problems related to the shortage of registration materials at centres. A member of the Law Society told IRIN on Thursday that the Electoral Law stipulates that voting should take place at least 21 days after registration has closed: "Holding the elections on 25 May will be a serious disregard of the constitution as the registration date has been extended." He also said that "realistically, at least 35 days are needed after the closure of registration, 14 days of which should be set aside for verification of the registration process and figures." However, the commission's spokesman told IRIN on Friday that as far as he is aware, the election date still stands. "It is critical that the elections be held as scheduled. We are aware of the Law Society's recommendation to stick to the letter of the Electoral Act, but I am not aware of plans by the commission to change the election date," he said. Malawi's parliament was dissolved on 20 March after the announcement of the initial election date, which was scheduled for 17 May. The date was, however, postponed to 25 May because of the registration problems. "Should the election date be postponed for the third time, this will negatively affect governance," media sources told IRIN. "The immediate casualty of another postponement would be the budget, which is normally presented to parliament in June."