Residents threaten not to register in Nsanje

Residents of Nyamalikombe, Chitomeni, Thuka and Monyo in Nsanje have threatened not to register in the sixth phase of voter registration scheduled to start tomorrow, citing lack of development in their areas.

The residents expressed their concern during a District Elections Support Team meeting on Thursday.

The residents claimed that the government does not provide them with social services such as potable water, schools and medical services and that they are only needed during elections.

According to reports presented at the meeting, the flood-prone areas’ residents have vowed to disrupt the exercise through any means at their disposal.

In an interview, National Initiative Civic Education (Nice) Trust Nsanje district civic education officer Kondwani Malunga confirmed the development, saying his office is urging the concerned citizens to take part in the electoral process.

“Yes, it is true. They said government asks them to register, but when it comes to development, they are told they live in a disaster prone area and cannot get development,” said Malunga.

He added: “Secondly, they were complaining that mostly the voting exercise takes place away from the area where they registered which is costly for them to travel such long distances.”

Nsanje district commissioner Reinghard Chavula said she will engage traditional authorities Nyachikadza and Ndamera to reason with their subjects.