By Edgar Naitha

Copyright faceofmalawi

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has cautioned political parties, candidates, and the general public against using social media platforms to submit election-related grievances, emphasizing that such channels are not recognized for official complaints.

Speaking during a press briefing this afternoon, MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja clarified that complaints posted on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, or other social media will not be considered.

She urged the public to use official complaint forms and submit them through presiding officers at tally centres or the designated officer at the national tally centre. “All complaints must be detailed, specific, and supported by evidence to be considered.”

Mtalimanja warned that hearsay or unverified claims will not be entertained by the Commission.

“Stakeholders are advised to send concerns via the official email of the Chief Elections Officer or deliver them directly to MEC’s head office. Any complaint not submitted through these official channels will be disregarded.”

She also cautioned political parties against making premature announcements of victory, stressing that only MEC is mandated to declare official results.

This follows reports that some parties have already claimed victory before the official announcement.

Mtalimanja noted that all parties and independent candidates should have copies of result sheets through their monitors.

She added that result sheets were posted at polling stations for public viewing as required by law.

MEC has confirmed a 100% transmission rate of results from all polling stations to constituency tally centres across the 36 councils.