MFUWU

The Malawi Electoral Commission has today started handing over to Parliament of Malawi used election materials from the Fresh Presidential Election held on 23rd June, 2020. Section 119 of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act mandates the Clerk of Parliament to safely store used election materials for a period of 12 months after the election. In his remarks marking the start of the exercise, MEC Chairperson, Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale said the ballot materials includes summary of results, record books and ballot papers. “I am grateful for the personnel available to discharge this work. I appreciate your presence and for all the effort invested in ensuring this process takes place,” the Chairperson said. The Deputy Clerk of Parliament (Corporate Services) Mr. Chikondi Kachinjika said Parliament was committed to discharging its statutory duty religiously. The exercise is being conducted under the watchful eye of Malawi Defense Force, Malawi Police Service as well as official

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has demanded the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the alleged fuel-gate at Malawi Regulatory Authority (MERA). It is alleged that MERA illegally purchased a fuel testing van. The human rights coalition has said it got the allegations through its whistleblowing initiative of receiving information and relevant documents from the public indicating that MERA flouted producers in purchasing the van. MERA then entered into a contract with City Motors for the supply of the said laboratory van in a contract valued at K704 million. On 7 May, 2019, MERA made an advance payment of K563 million which represents 80% of the total amount. According to the HRDC National Coordinator Luke Tembo, the procurement processes were allegedly flouted and the vehicle that came did not meet the specifications of what was initially ordered.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak has taken place, a plethora of false and partially true news are making rounds. Some prefer to believe them and share without checking the authenticity of the news while others do some research and find out if the news holds at least some credibility and truth. On July 13, a piece of news about a Russian Medical University successfully completing human trials of the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine started to surface on news portals and social media. A vaccine candidate, that was never in the front runners, suddenly came in the forefront claiming that it is effective in fighting against the deadly COVID-19. This is what is making people perplexed. They are not able to believe the news. And, facts also suggest you to do the same. This vague news should not be believed. Here is why. Fact Check A Russian news agency called ‘Tass’ is the primary source of this news that states, the Russian scientists have successfully completed human trials and

Thirteen police officers who were recently arrested in connection with the death of Buleya Lule are expected to answer murder charges contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code, according to particulars read out by Principal Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba in Lilongwe. Lule died in police custody in February last year after being picked by the police in relation to the abduction and murder of a 14-year-old boy with albinism Goodson Fanizo. Nyimba read the particulars of the case which were authorised by Director of Public Prosecutions Mary Kachale which indicate that the 13 cops caused Lule’s death. The suspects have been identified as Paul Chipole, Ikraim Malata, Richard Kalawire, Innocent Wanda, Steve Mashonga, Maxwell Mbidzi, Abel Maseya, Dereck Mtswati, Wallen Chavinda, Ronnex Kapesa, Robert Tchaka, Chifundo Chiwambo and Evalista Goodwin Mvula. One of the four lawyers representing the accused, Enock Chibwana—who is the former Ombudsman— asked the court to order that the suspects rem

The headline itself would have made your head spun with its meaning but let us confirm that this incident is absolutely true. In the list of unusual ceremonies, this wedding ceremony would stand on the top where a man in India married both his girlfriend and a bride chosen by his parents, that too at the same time. I mean it takes a minute for us to make sense of the situation but for the groom, it was probably a win-win situation. Sandeep Uike, the groom who came a part of this unusual idea belongs to a village in Madhya Pradesh state in India, named Betul. The wedding ceremony took place in Keria village which is at some distance from Betul. This ceremony was performed in front of his whole family as well as his whole village and everybody who witnessed this happening would have been equally confused as us. The story of this strange incident began when Sandeep Uike, came in a relationship with a girl who resides in Hoshangabad when he was studying in Bhopal. During his c

Ivory Coast Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan has resigned, the presidency, further unsettling the political outlook days after the sudden death of prime minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, President Alassane Ouattara’s preferred successor. The death last week of Gon Coulibaly, hand-picked by Ouattara to run in October’s presidential election, has left the ruling party scrambling to find a replacement candidate, a process likely to reveal internal divisions, analysts say. Duncan is leaving for “reasons of personal convenience”, Patrick Achi, a top aide to Ouattara, told reporters, adding that Duncan had first tendered his resignation in February. He said Ouattara had finally accepted Duncan’s resignation last Wednesday, the same day Gon Coulibaly, who had longstanding heart problems, died after a cabinet meeting. Despite several years of relative peace, ethnic and regional rivalries linger, and this year’s election is seen as test of stability for Ivory Coast, the world’s top co

Google will invest $10bn (£7.93bn) in India in the next five to seven years, the chief executive of its parent company Alphabet Inc has announced. Sundar Pichai spoke at the annual Google for India event, held online. The investment will be used to build products and services for India, help businesses go digital and use technology "for social good". "This is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy," Mr Pichai said. With more than 500 million active internet users in the country, India is perhaps the biggest potential growth market for Google. The investment will be made through the Google for India Digitisation Fund. Mr Pichai said the fund would focus on areas to scale up digital infrastructure in India.