Minister warns against selling voter IDs
Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development Grace Chiumia has warned against selling voter identity cards (IDs), saying those caught will face the law.
She was speaking in Nkhotakota on Friday at Chikwawe Primary School after touring some registration centres in the ongoing registration exercise by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
MEC is conducting the second phase of the registration in Ntchisi, Dowa, Mchinji and Nkhotakota which began on July 13 and is expected to end on July 26 2018.
Chiumia said government has learnt that some prospective voters are selling their voter identity cards to unscrupulous individuals.
“Let me warn those selling their voter identity cards that government will not tolerate this illegal act. The law shall take its course. It is your constitutional right to vote. So, don’t sell it,” she said.
The minister said was impressed with the turnout of registrants so far, adding the ministry and other stakeholders will continue with their civic and voter sensitisation campaigns.
Speaking at the event, Nkhotakota South legislator Grezeldar Jeffrey expressed concern with persistent technical hitches being experienced in the exercise.
She said registrants in some centres were turned back because of faulty equipment as solar panels malfunctioned due to bad weather. She, therefore, asked MEC to rectify the problems.
In his remarks, Sub Traditional Authority Nkhanga said chiefs are critical in the electoral process and called on fellow leaders to encourage their subjects to register.
