By Chisomo Phiri
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Monday received the first consignment of ballot papers for the forthcoming September 16 tripartite elections.
In an interview with journalists,MEC Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja,said a total of 115 pallets of parliamentary ballot papers arrived at Kamuzu International Airport(KIA ) at around 3:30 p.m.
The MEC chairperson explained that the consignments will be delivered in phases due to the large volume of materials required for the elections.
According to Mtalimanja, the second consignment, containing ballot papers for the presidential election, is expected to arrive on September 4, while those for the local government elections will follow on September 6.
She assured Malawians that MEC is working strictly within its electoral calendar to ensure that all election materials are delivered on schedule.
“All ballot papers and related materials will be dispatched to polling centers by September 15 so that every station has them ahead of voting day on September 16,” said Mtalimanja.
She emphasized that the Commission will make sure every polling station receives the materials in good time to prevent delays or logistical challenges during the elections.
The MEC chairperson also urged political party representatives and observers to be present at the airport when consignments arrive, saying this will help promote transparency in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and the Malawi Police Service(MPS ) have been deployed to provide 24-hour security at KIA, where the ballot papers are being stored before distribution.
