MEC Commissioner Jean Mathanga who is also Chairperson for Electoral Services Committee said after opening a training for Lilongwe District Election Supervisory Team Friday, any election officer found using tippex (correction fluid) shall face the law.

She said tippex has tarnished the image of the commission.

Mathanga said it is the expectation of MEC that electoral staff shall handle the process, professionally.

“We have emphasized that anyone who will do this will face the arm of the law. In a by-election that took place in Kasungu few months ago, use of tippex (correction fluid) was not there,” said Mathanga.

The electoral stakeholders were also told that MEC shall use ballot papers and other electoral materials bearing the date of 5 November 2019, because the by -election was initially planned for that day.

The electoral body has also opted to use some of its district staff members as Presiding Officers in the election.

“We advertised for the position of Presiding Officers in Lilongwe South Constituency and expected teachers to respond. To our surprise the response was so poor,” she said.

Lilongwe District Commissioner Lawful Palani  also emphasized the need to follow all legal and professional requirements during the election.

“We know how sensitive this election is. All eyes are on us and we will make sure we do what MEC is advising us to do,” said Palani.

MEC has on two occasions postponed the parliamentary election in Lilongwe South Constituency, first due to death of a candidate on 21 May 2019 and on 5 November 2019 the by- election was put on hold, due to reports of violence.

“Use of Tippex Prohibited” says MEC Commissioner Mathanga