| [Malawi] MEC launches by-elections in Mwasa, Chilaweni |
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| Last updated 2024-05-29 |
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On Friday, 17 May 2024, the Commission held stakeholders to launch the by-elections to be held on 23 July 2024 in Mwasa Ward in Mangochi and Chilaweni Ward in Blantyre. During the meetings, the Commission presented the electoral calendar and answered questions from stakeholders regarding the by-elections.
Mwasa Ward in Mangochi North-East Constituency
which fell vacant on 15 August, 2022 due to the death of Councillor Edna Yusuf
Jose of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Chilaweni Ward in Blantyre Rural East Constituency,
which fell on 22 March 2024 following the death of Councillor Carlo Mdala of
the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Speaking at St Augustine 2 Primary School in
Mwasa Ward, Commissioner Dr. Anthony Mukumbwa said the registration center
would open for seven days from 10 to 16 June 2024 for new registrants to
register. "In the current by-elections, the
Commission will register new voters aged 18 and above who have never been
registered in previous elections or will attain voting age by 23 July 2024. Those
that registered for the 2019 election need not to register but should come and
verify their details in the register," he said. The Commissioner also explained that all those
who registered in the previous two voter registration exercises conducted in preparation
for Mwasa Ward should register again because those details were not added to
the voters' register.
Speaking at Mapazi TDc In Chilaweni Ward, Commissioner Richard Chapweteka advised leaders of political parties to be in the forefront in mobilizing people to participate in the electoral activities. "In the past, voter turnout during
by-elections, especially for Local Government, has always been low despite all
the efforts we make to mobilize the electorate. "Parties and candidates, you have a huge
responsibility of mobilizing your followers to turn out in large numbers for
the polling day because that is what counts, unlike having huge patronage
during rallies," he said. Commissioner Chapweteka also encouraged people
who registered for the 2019 elections to verify their details in the voters'
register during the registration period. "People tend to stay back and not verify
their details because they still know that they will be allowed to vote. But as
the Commission, we insist on you going for verification because it helps solve
any anomalies while there is still time. "On the polling day, we even have cases of
people reporting at a wrong center, yet if they had come for voter inspection,
they could have been advised the right center for them to vote at," he
explained. Voter registration and verification will run
from 10 to 16 June 2024, and centers will be open from 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM on
all days, including weekends. The Commission has also provided for voter
inspection by new registrants whereby all centers will open for two days from
23 to 24 June 2024 for them to inspect their details. Presentation of nomination papers will be on 26
June 2025 and aspiring candidates are free to collect nomination papers at any
point upon payment of nomination fees. The Commission has put a specific day in the
by-elections' calendar 25 June 2025 to give an opportunity to aspiring
candidates or their representatives to come to their respective Returning
Officers with the nomination papers for pre-examination. Nomination fees for ward councillors remain
unchanged at K40,000 for male candidates and K20,000 for female candidates and
all people with disabilities. The youth will pay K30,000.
The official campaign period started on 17 May
2024 and shall close at 06.00 AM on 21 July 2024. The full launch speech and the electoral
calendar can also be accessed at the attachment. |
