Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has re-set November 16 this year as the new date for Mwasa ward by-election in Mangochi, a month after the by-election were suspended due to several irregularities observed by MEC and other political parties contesting in the local government elections.
MEC previously suspended the Mwasa ward by-election which was initially slated for 26th September during voter registration period, August 20 to 26 this year.
Speaking to the media after a Multiparty Liason Committee (MPLC) meeting on Saturday, MEC Chairperson, Justice Dr.Chifundo Kachale said following queries by political parties, the commission will not consider electorates that already registered in the six days registration period to vote.
‘‘As a Commission we have taken several measures in order to have a free and fair election, We believe that we need to engage other duty bearers such as the Police and National Registration Bureau on the steps taken to address challenges that appeared when the initial voter registration took place.’’
‘‘We also say that all registrations that took place between the August 20 to 26 are not going to be valid because we will have to start from the scratch so that only those that are eligible to cast their vote should participate,’’ said Kachale.
However, the development did not please some political party members at the meeting, who felt that MEC should firstly address grievances that were raised during the initial voter registration period, before conducting the by-election.
Member for United Democratic Front (UDF) for the area William Chimoyo said UDF expected that cases that were taken to court should be completed first.
‘‘We have incomplete cases in court where others are alleged to have taken part in registering minors in the voters’ registry. As such, it would be vital if such cases were completed before resumption of the by-election,’’ said Chimoyo.
Grievances that prompted MEC to postpone the by-election in Mwasa ward included reports that some political party members were barring other people from voter registration claiming that they were minors and reports of some prospective voter’s coming from outside Mwasa ward
According to the new elections calendar, electorates in Mwasa ward will go to cast their vote on November 16, the day when electorates in Dedza Central Constituency will also cast votes for Member of Parliament.
Mwasa ward became vacant after the death councillor Edna Yusuf Jose in 2022 who by the time of her death was Mayor for Mangochi Municipality.
Reported By Bishop Witmos
