Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has appealed to journalist to work professionally ahead of May 21 tripartite elections.

This was said by MEC commissioner Jean Namathanga on Monday during a two day workshop with journalists in Lilongwe.

Namathanga said Media practitioners play a very crucial role in informing the audience.

She added that presentation of electoral information by the media can either motivate or demotivate citizens to take part in the forthcoming polls.

“We thought it wise to engage journalist from various media organizations in the country because they reach out to wide audience within a short period of time, and they have also critical role of bringing electoral information to the public,” Namathanga said.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNDP Chief Technical Adviser in Elections, Richard Cox said they are committed to support and train journalists on good reporting electoral skills and knowledge in the country.

“In election cycle we have trained more than 400 journalists in various media organizations including the n community radios on elections reporting with support with other development partners,” he said.

The workshop is being funded by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), European Union (UN) UK Aid, USAID and Norwegian Embassy.