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The Parliamentary Committee on Public Appointments and Assets Declaration has summoned chairman of the Electoral Commission Justice James Kalaile to appear before it and explain the conduct of the May 20 general elections.
Close sources said on Monday the Committee met last week to discuss the public outcry on the performance of the Commission in the May 20 election which many, including international observers, say left a lot to be desired.
Deputy Chairman of the committee Mark Katsonga Phiri confirmed on Monday that Kalaile has been summoned to appear before the Committee.
“We are not keeping deaf ear on the public outcry on the way the elections were conducted and that is why he has been summoned to explain himself,” said Katsonga.
He declined to give any other details on the impending meeting.
Kalaile said on Monday he was not aware of the meeting but said he would appear before the committee if he is called.
The European Union Observation Mission for the general elections said in its report that the elections did not meet international standards and that the tabulation of the elections results lacked transparency and accountability to the extent that it is not possible to have full confidence in them.
The Malawi Law Society is on the record as saying the membership of the Commission should be reviewed since there are more parties represented in the National Assembly.
Section 4(1) of the Electoral Commission Act stipulates that the President, subject to the Constitution and in consultation with leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly, appoint suitably qualified persons as members of the Commission on such terms and conditions as the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament shall determine.
The current Commission consists of members representing only three parties namely UDF, MCP and Aford which were represented in Parliament before the May 20 general elections.
The other new parties that have joined parliament include PPM, Mgode, RP, CONU and NDA.
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