‘MEC deals with aspirants through their parties’
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has denied withholding information about forthcoming by-elections, saying before nominations are received, it deals with aspirants through their parties.
The issue came to the fore on Friday at Chibanja in Mzuzu at the launch of a calendar of events for theAugust 25 2015 by-elections in five wards of the country.
During the launch, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) aspirant for Chibanja Ward, George Manda, accused the electoral body of failing to give stakeholders timely information pertaining to the elections, claiming he had only learnt about the function on Thursday.
“If the elections are to be a success, they need to update us frequently on any emerging issue,” said Manda
Deputy chief elections officer Victor Potani told Manda that MEC could not contact every individual aspirant because presently there are no candidates until they submit their nomination papers.
He said presently, MEC is communicating to interested candidates through their parties and multi-party liaison committees.
The by-elections will take place in Luchenza Ward in Luchenza Municipal Council, Zomba Central Ward in Zomba City Council, Msikisi Ward in Mangochi Town Council, Chibanja Ward in Mzuzu City Council and Khwawa Ward in Karonga following death of some councillors.
Initially, the elections were scheduled to take place on June 23, but were postponed due to government’s failure to release funds on time.
Speaking at Chibanja, MEC commissioner the Reverend Allan Chiphiko said registration of voters and updating of the voters’ register will be conducted between July 15 and 19 2015.
He said candidates are expected to present their nomination papers on July 28. The official campaign period will run between July 29 and August 23 2015.
“Those who registered in the last elections should go to their previous centres and verify if their names are available in the voters’ register.
“Those who lost voter certificates should go to their previous centres to get a new one. Those who did not reach 18 on May 20 or will be 18 on August 25 are eligible to register. But anyone above 18 who did not register in the last elections will not be allowed to register,” said Chiphiko.
Budget for the by-elections has been pegged at K403 million. n
