President Peter Mutharika has asked Malawians to continue voting peacefully as they choose leaders of their choice.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Goliati Primary School in Thyolo East alongside his wife Gertrude, Mutharika said he was pleased to note that voting across the country was peaceful.
“Voting is generally peaceful so far. I have seen this in Limbe and Blantyre as well. I hope it goes this way until after elections and after the results,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika said it was important for Malawians to vote for candidates of their choice in exercising their birthright.
“It is important for democracy because they are voting for the future of this country. It also shows people have the power to decide. Nobody should get discouraged,” he said.
In Mulanje and Thyolo, voting has generally been peaceful. People started flocking to the polling centres as early as 5 am.
However, there has generally been low turnout in most centres where the Nation Online visited in Thyolo East, Central and Mulanje South, West, Central and South West.
At Goliati hundreds of people who had voted earlier were seen loitering around the polling centre waiting for Mutharika.
This is against electoral laws. According to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Jane Ansah, people who have voted or are just observing the event must stand at a radius of 100 meters from the polling centre.
