Karonga By-Elections, MEC Bars 33 Registration Operators

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has banned 33 Registration Operators from participating in the upcoming 26th of March Karonga by-elections of Ward Councilors after finding irregularities in the registration of 123 registrants.

This came to light on Wednesday during a Multiparty Liaison Committee (MPLC) interface meeting, that MEC organized to update members on voter registration and inspection of the voter’s role among others.

In an interview MEC Commissioner Fransis Kasaila, revealed that their collected data analysis showed instances where registrants had utilized a national registration application slip instead of a national id during the registration process.

He further stated, in response to this discrepancy MEC has taken immediate action to remove 123 names from the voter’s role for violating electoral laws.

“This violation of electoral laws and negligency on the part of the officers demonstrate a clear breach of electoral laws hence as a commission we have taken tough decisions to ensure we deliver credible polls,”Kasaila explained.

In a related development the Commission has barred two aspirants from the Leadership with Compassion Party (LCP) from contesting in the by-elections on the basis that their party has not been registered with the Registrar of Political Parties.

Meanwhile, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) District Governor for Karonga, Makenzie Malema, commended the Commission for being transparent in handling the electoral process.

“As political parties we are delighted in how MEC is handling this electoral process and if they were transparent like this in previous elections we would have no complaints as parties,” he articulated.

A total of 68,461 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballot in the forthcoming local government by-elections in Kaporo, Chilanga and Rukuru wards set for March 26th 2024.