BY REBECCA CHIMJEKA:
The third phase of voters’ registration has started on a high note in Lilongwe.
Spot-checks by The Daily Times in selected registration centres within the city Monday showed that many people were turning up for registration.
In an interview after registering, Jonasi Zidana, a resident of Area 18 who went to register at Chimutu Primary School, described the process as the best ever since 1994.
However, Zidana questioned Mec on the criteria it is using, especially on the issue of people who have just qualified to vote.
“I am disappointed that my nephew, who will be turning 18 years next year, will not be eligible to vote. In past elections, people who may have turned 18 on the day of voting were allowed to vote. What has happened now?” Zidana said.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has been carrying out the exercise in phases ahead of next year’s elections.
Mec has said people who are eligible to vote are those who will clock 18 years by the time registration closes in November.
At Civic Offices, Flora Kazado was happy with the new system of registration which, she said, is fast.
“At the pace things are going, we should expect a lot of people to participate in the 2019 tripartite elections,” she said.
Apart from Civic Offices and Chimutu Primary School, other centres we visited are Mtandire, Chatuwa Primary School and Lilongwe District Commissioner’s Offices.
The third phase is expected to end on August 12.
Leave a Reply