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| National |
| Msosa appointment thrills stakeholders |
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by
Pilirani Semu-Banda, 27 October 2004
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08:55:03
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The reappointment of Supreme Court Justice Anastazia Msosa to chair the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Tuesday has been hailed by main political parties in the country and the Public Affairs Committee (Pac).
Chief Secretary for the President and Cabinet Bright Msaka announced in a press statement that President Bingu wa Mutharika has appointed Msosa chair of the troubled Commission, replacing another Judge James Kalaile.
Msaka did not disclose the fate of Kalaile, who is reported to be out of the country observing elections in Botswana.
Msosa said she was going to accept her post “just as any other appointment” and as a challenge to find out exactly what people are complaining about against EC.
“I will go by the laws,” said Msosa, who indicated that she was yet to be told of her appointment officially.
Pac chair Father Boniface Tamani, whose religious group campaigned vigorously for the dissolution of Kalaile’s Commission, said he was happy that Msosa is back as EC chair.
“She has the experience and trust of the people. Malawians respect her,” said Tamani.
He also said Msosa is a person who listens to people’s concerns and takes right steps to address them.
“She will help in restoring confidence at the Electoral Commission and help the country to have legitimate leaders in positions,” said Tamani.
MCP president John Tembo also praised the change at the Commission.
“I think it will make a difference,” said Tembo without elaborating.
UDF deputy publicity secretary Mary Kaphwereza-Banda said Msosa’s appointment is a welcome move since the country knows her as a hard working woman.
“We will be praying for her to succeed in her job. We’re grateful for this appointment especially that it is a woman heading the Commission now,” said Kaphwereza-Banda.
She, however, said her party holds Kalaile in “high esteem” and that it was thanking him for “the good work” he did at the Commission.
“He should disregard the complaints other people have against him. They only complain because they lost elections and as UDF we wish him the best of luck wherever he goes,” said Kaphwereza-Banda.
Malawi Democratic Party president Kamlepo Kalua Tuesday welcomed Msosa’s appointment but expressed regret that a new person has not been considered to take over from Kalaile.
“We all know that Msosa did well but don’t forget that during her time there were rumours of abductions of candidates and too many court cases. We want to move away from that and appoint new people to start afresh,” Kalua said.
But Aford spokesman Norman Nyirenda said he did not think anybody could have any reservations against Msosa.
“I think it’s a wonderful appointment. She’s a credible person,” said Nyirenda.
Mafunde president George Nnesa, whose party is in Mgwirizano coalition, described Msosa’s appointment as “thrilling”.
Msosa was first appointed EC chair in December 1993 by late president Kamuzu Banda and was reappointed by former president Bakili Muluzi in 1994. Muluzi then prematurely dismissed her Commission in June, 1998 and appointed new commissioners, a move Msosa described as unconstitutional.
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