MALAWI ELECTORATE TURNS IN HIGH NUMBERS FOR WELL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000269 SIPDIS LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD ADDIS ABABA FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI SUBJECT: MALAWI ELECTORATE TURNS IN HIGH NUMBERS FOR WELL ORGANIZED AND PEACEFUL POLLS REF: LILONGWE 267 LILONGWE 00000269 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Record numbers of voters turned out for presidential and parliamentary elections today. Voting was well organized, with no reports of intimidation or violence. Counting is just underway and appears initially to be proceeding without major problems, though there are sporadic reports of inadequate electricity. Police are investigating campaign violations by a pro-opposition radio station, and have arrested three of its employees. End summary. RECORD TURNOUT -------------- ¶2. Malawians cast their votes for president and members of parliament today in record numbers in a well-organized poll, free of intimidation or violence. Though seven candidates are vying for President, the real race is between incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President John Tembo, who is leading the united MCP and United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition. Post has 15 observer teams spread throughout the country, all of whom have reported better than expected processes and turnout, some in the 75 - 80 percent range. ORGANIZATION BETTER THAN EXPECTED -------------- ¶3. Pre-election concerns about voter apathy and confusion over voter rolls appear overplayed. Overall, voting was consistently characterized by observer teams as calm and technically better than expected. The Deputy Head of the EU Observer Mission shares out perspective and believes that problems were small-scale and adequately handled. Of the few election hiccups, none seem widespread. The most common observation was that the training and caliber of presiding officials was uneven, with some well-equipped and flexible while others were overwhelmed. There were a few reports of voters being turned away for not appearing on the roll, but in most cases, presiding officers allowed voters to vote provided they had cards whose registration numbers fell within the range for that district. ¶4. Polls closed at 6pm as scheduled and observer teams report that counting has begun and is proceeding well, although some teams noted delays due to lack of electricity or adequate light. Other reports include one polling station where ballots have been lost after being blown away by the wind. OPPOSITION RADIO ACCUSED OF CAMPAIGN VIOLATION -------------- - ¶5. Radio Islam reported this morning that police had entered the premises of pro-UDF Joy Radio and arrested three Joy reporters. According to the report, police searched the radio station's computers on the grounds that it had violated campaign laws prohibiting campaign activities two days before the election. The spokesperson for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) publicly confirmed on Malawi television that Joy Radio had been accused of the violation. UDF-MCP FORMALIZE COALITION AT LAST MINUTE -------------- ¶6. The MCP and UDF signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 18 establishing the framework under which they would share power should MCP candidate John Tembo win. The MoU states the parties would equally share 12 key ministries, including ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Health and Population, Education, Local Government, Agriculture and Food Security, Lands and Housing, Justice, Transport and Works, Energy and Mining, and Water and Irrigation. The remaining cabinet positions and key ambassadorial and senior diplomatic positions, specifically singling out US, UN, South Africa, Germany, China, and India, would be shared on a 60-40 basis favoring UDF. Hiring and firing would be the prerogative of both Muluzi and Tembo. The parties also said they would support a common candidate for the position of Speaker of Parliament. LILONGWE 00000269 002.2 OF 002 COMMENT: STILL A WAY TO GO -------------- ¶7. Though voting has gone smoothly so far, there is still room for disputes or unrest. After counting, constituency results will be transmitted by fax to the MEC's central tally center in Blantyre where they intend to post them publicly and provide them to various media outlets for broadcast. The MEC has said it hopes to announce final results on May 21. BODDE