MEC to engage traditional leaders
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will engage traditional leaders in some districts in preparation for the registration of the 2014 tripartite elections.
According to a press statement made available to the Malawi News Agency (Mana), MEC chief elections officer Willie Kalonga says the commission wants the traditional leaders to tell their subjects the importance of the registration execrise.
“The commission has targeted traditional leaders because they live with the people in the villages and they have influence,” he said.
Kalonga said the commission is committed to building an informed electorate as the nation prepares for the elections.
“We are taking a fresh register, which means we have to reach out to everyone urging them to register. Registration is bedrock of credible elections and it is our expectations that everyone will show up when it starts,” he said.
Kalonga said people who will not register will not be able to vote in next year’s elections.
“This is why we are putting up all our efforts to ensure that every eligible registrant turns up for registration when it starts. As a commission, we have mobilised enough resources and staff to conduct a successful registration, but this can be undermined if eligible registrants do not turn up,” he said.
Registration will be done in 10 phases. The first phase is covering Nsanje, Neno Chikhwawa and Mwanza followed by wards in Blantyre city such as Mbayani, Michiru, South Lunzu, Blantyre City Central and Chilomoni. Each phase will take 14 days, including public holidays and weekends.—Mana
