MEC registers 4.6 million voters: Blame game ensues among political parties
The Malawi Electoral Commission has revealed that over 4.6 million people have registered in the ongoing voter registration exercise as of phase 5.
The MEC had projected to register about 5, 770, 982 voters as of phase 5 and beat the figures the commission registered by this period in 2013.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, chairperson of the commission, Jane Ansah revealed that only 81 percent of the projected figures have so far been met with the youths in majority.
“Of the 4, 655, 941 voters registered, 2, 571, 835 voters are youths aged less than 35 years old thereby representing 55 % of the registrants” said Ansah.
Ansah further said the preliminary number of registrants is down by a margin of 10 percent this time compared to the 91 percent the commission had managed as of phase 5 for the 2014 elections.
She has since disclosed that the MEC has deployed its full force to ensure that they meet the 9 million target of voters in the remaining 3 phases.
Reacting to the matter, interim Secretary General of the United Transformation Movement (UTM), Patricia Kaliati blamed the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government for not doing enough for Malawians.
“People have lost trust in this government and now they think snubbing the voter registration and the tripartite elections is enough without knowing that if they don’t register and vote then change won’t come,” alleged Kaliati.
Kaliati also disclosed that the higher turnout of youths in registration centres is a sign that they want to participate in policy making.
Echoing her sentiments, National Campaign Director for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Moses Kunkuyu said people are tired because they don’t see any change even if they vote.
“Despite the fact that the system of voter registration has changed, those that aren’t registering despite having the national ID are tired of the way things have been happening in the country,” claimed Kunkuyu.
He said unlike in the last when people used to get a voter ID which helped them in getting cheap fertilizer, people have simply lost interest with the coming of the National ID which performs same functions.
DPP spokesman Nicholas Dausi, who doubles as spokesperson for the government, refused to comment saying they haven’t verified yet with the commission.
“We will wait for official communication from the MEC before jumping into comments since we are hearing this from you now,” said Dausi.
Meanwhile, Chancellor College Political Analyst, Enerst Thindwa has since urged political parties to join hands in ensuring that more people should register in the remaining 3 phases and meet the 9 million target of voters.
Phase 6 of the voter registration exercise will start on Wednesday, 19th September in Mangochi, Zomba and Nsanje.
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Koamadi Kaliati khosi mpaka ngati a Mtchona?
Low turn out for registration means nothing. Those who know their role will walk out of their homes and exercise their democratic right to choose eligible leaders into positions. Akweni upezeni be cool if u thought ku UTM mudzakhala nduna hoodo mwagwa nayo DPP boma basi come 2019 remember “game yakula ana mwachepa!” kkkkkkkk
Voter apathy is a danger to democracy. The fact that Malawi Electrol system is still based on First Past The Post it means that we may end up with a political party with 1 million votes running the country. Imagine 1 million people deciding the fate of the other 17.5 million people. We need to blame MEC for its ineffectiveness and lack of vision. The DPP-led govt has appointed a useless MEC Commissioner/Head who has no clue how to motivate the general public to vote. The world has changed immensely so it requires someone with a sharp vision to mobilise… Read more »
The law doesn’t force anyone to Vote, even in developed democracies like the USA hardly 50% of the people bother to vote. So lets stop worrying about the numbers and let those who want to vote do so.
Madam wa akuondatu awa. I hope ziri bwino.
Kaliati kuwonda kumeneko si ndalama zayamba kuthawa nanga mukalephera chisankho 2019 ndiye zitha bwanji? DPP kukumvetsani pain kumeneko mupemphe a christu a catholic apanga limodzilimodzi kuti mukokele monga chipani chawo
Kaliyati Zoti chipani chanu chobweleka inu mulibe chipani simuziwa , UTP ndi chipani cha mwini wake wa Mkaka ndipo simbo yake ndi Bwato inuyo kachipani kanu UTM not yet registered muzayima indipendeti ngati simusamala
Kupepela heavy Mesimadzi kumeneko !! Ukamufunse Bakili akakuuza kuti onena mzake za matenda sapita patali zimamutsata!! Did she ever claim to be a “rock” that she can’t fall sick!! Be objectiveeeeeeeee please!!