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MEC urges professional conduct in elections

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has cautioned electoral stakeholders to conduct their duties diligently and professionally to ensure credible elections in tomorrow’s vote.

MEC commissioner Francis Kasaila said this on Thursday in Balaka where he opened a training session for the district election supervisory team.

An elderly woman votes during last year’s elections

MEC is set to conduct by-elections in Nkhotakota North East Constituency formerly held by the late Martha Chanjo Lunji of the Democratic Progressive Party-DPP, Dedza Central East Constituency previously held by the late Mcsteyn Swithin Mkomba of the Malawi Congress Party, Mzimba East Constituency which fell vacant following the death of independent legislator Wezie Gondwe and Chimwalire Ward in Balaka South Constituency, formerly held by the late Joseph Daniel of the DPP.

Kasaila asked the stakeholders to be non-partisan by treating every candidate equally and also providing equal opportunity for all eligible voters.

He said: “As public servants, we are apolitical, we have to demonstrate that. We should make sure that every candidate is treated the same way and that voters are respected.”

In his remarks, Balaka district commissioner Macleod Kadammanja said everything was set for the by-election on Tuesday.

“We estimate to have about 20 polling stations and everything is set according to the election calendar,” he said.

In an earlier interview, MEC chairperson Chifundo Kachale said the commission devised a long-term strategy to civic-educate the masses on the importance of ward councillors as records have shown that a lot of people are not interested in taking part in a local government election.

This, he said, will beat voter apathy in tomorrow’s by-elections.

The total budget for the October 26 by-election is over K1 billion and the government has already provided all the funds.

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