Apart from ZBS, the commission will also use the state-controlled broadcasters, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM) as official broadcasters of election results.
 
The election results will be compiled and announced at a tally centre which has been set up at COMESA hall in the commercial capital Blantyre. The electoral commission has also set up a media tally centre, where all media houses in Malawi will have access to information regarding the May 19 presidential and parliamentary elections.
 
Commenting on this, ZBS managing director Mr. Gospel Kazako said the station has a wider coverage across the country. He said the commission looked at the station’s capacity, among other criteria, for choosing an independent broadcaster for the elections. According to Kazako, ZBS has correspondents in almost all the districts across the country. The managing director further attributed his station’s success to what he termed as a good editorial policy which he said has helped to introduce civilised journalism that accommodates people from all walks of life.
 
Meanwhile, MISA Malawi has congratulated ZBS for being appointed as the official independent broadcaster to announce this year’s election results. MISA Malawi acting National Director Sangwani Mwafulirwa, has commended other private radio stations and print media houses for the good job they are doing in trying to cover all parties fairly.
 
MISA Malawi is therefore appealing to all media houses in the country to exercise extreme care at this time, when the country is anxiously waiting for the elections results of the May 19 polls. ZBS started broadcasting in Malawi in 2005 and has been chosen as the electronic media house of the year for three consecutive years by MISA Malawi, since 2007. Malawi has over 17 broadcasting stations, including community radio stations.

Rashweat Mukundu
Programme Specialist: Media Monitoring and Research
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Secretariat
Private Bag 13386
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Windhoek
Tel: +264 61 232975
Mobile: + 264 81 367 5362

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