ELECTION RESULTS TO BE BROADCAST LIVE

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000402

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO MI
SUBJECT: ELECTION RESULTS TO BE BROADCAST LIVE

REF: A)03 Lilongwe 1202


1. Independent Capital Radio has devised a plan
to broadcast May 18 election results live. In
cooperation with Public Affairs Committee's
(PAC) election monitors and funded by the
British and Germans, Capital Radio will be on-
air live from 6 pm on May 18 until 6 am on May
19 announcing results phoned in from PAC
monitors. Listeners will also be able to call
in with spot reports. Capital Radio will have a
team of reporters at the central tally center
reporting on events there.


2. Comment. If this initiative is allowed to
go forward, election results will be broadcast
live for the first time in Malawi's history.
This would reduce the risk of rigging as vote
e
counts are collected at the district and
national tally centers.

Browning