DPP, UDF protest registration process
The United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have complained to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) about what they say is a bungled voter registration process.
In its letter to MEC chairperson Justice Maxon Mbendera that Nation on Sunday saw on Friday, UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo said his party is particularly concerned that thousands of potential voters have failed to register because of operational problems in the legislation process.
He urged the commission to re-open registration centres closed in the first phase, a proposal Mbendera has ruled out.
Said Padambo in the letter: “Following the closing of phase one of the voters registration exercise and having received reports from our observers at those centres, we have observed that several thousands of potential voters failed to register due to a slow and somewhat cumbersome registration process at most centres in Chikhwawa, especially Dzinthenga Centre in Chikhwawa West, Phimbi Centre, Nyangoma in Chikhwawa East, Mfela and Gumbwa in Chikhwawa North.”
UDF has also asked the commission to publish names of registered voters.
On his part, DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi said his party also sent a complaint to the elections body, asking it to increase the number of cameras and clerks at centres.
Justice Mbendera confirmed receiving complaints from the two parties, but maintained that re-opening registration was out of question.
“When you look at the number of people that have registered so far, you come to the conclusion that UDF’s concern is not supported by statistics on the ground,” he said.
The first phase of registration took two weeks and ended on August 4. It covered Blantyre Kabula, Blantyre City West, Mwanza, Neno, Chikhwawa and Nsanje.
So far, 595 602 people have registered, an increase of 15.45 percent on the 515 889 recorded in the last election cycle for a similar phase.
“We are pleased with the number of those registered and are not thinking about blanket extension. We will only do that in isolated areas where there were some problems logistically or otherwise. After all, not all people can register just like not all that registered will vote,” said Mbendera.
On the need to publish names of registered voters, MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said that will be done during verification time.
When told that MEC will not re-open registration in centres already closed in spite of the party’s concerns, Padambo said UDF will partner other stakeholders to push MEC.
Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI) executive director Rafik Hajat has also called for partial extension.
The second phase of registration started on August 8 and will end on August 21. It covers the rest of Blantyre, Chiradzulu and Thyolo North.
According to Mbendera, MEC projects that eight million people will register.
