Mzuzu Motorists Sleeping at Fuel Stations Appeal for Special Voting Centres

With only two days left before Malawians head to the polls for tripartite elections on September 16, 2025, fuel scarcity in Mzuzu has taken a new twist, as motorists camping at filling stations are now appealing to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to consider opening special polling centres at service stations.

On Saturday morning, several motorists who have been queuing for days at Petroda Filling Station in Mzuzu expressed concern that the current crisis could deny them their constitutional right to vote.

“We all want to vote and fulfill our right as citizens, but how will we manage if we are forced to remain here in fuel queues?” asked one motorist.

James Mwambande, a driver of a Toyota Sienta, narrated his frustration.

“I came here on Thursday morning hoping to fuel my car, but the whole day passed without any delivery. I decided to wait overnight into Friday, and now it’s Saturday, but still there is no sign of petrol coming. This is my third day here.”

Another frustrated motorist, Enest Kachingwe, who drives a VW Golf, echoed the same concerns and directly appealed to MEC:

“Let MEC consider us by creating special voting centres at filling stations. This is the only way we can have a chance to vote for our desired candidates while still keeping our place in the queue.”

Meanwhile, an official from the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Mzuzu fuel storage, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there is little hope that the situation will improve soon.

“I cannot comment on anything, but there is no hope of fuel,” the official briefly remarked.

The fuel crisis has not only paralyzed movement in the city but also opened the door for a thriving black market. Currently, petrol is being sold at an astronomical K15,000 per litre on the parallel market, far beyond the reach of ordinary motorists.

Reports indicate that all 14 filling stations in Mzuzu have completely run out of petrol, forcing motorists to spend nights at the pumps in anticipation of new deliveries. The shortage comes at a critical time, just 48 hours before the highly anticipated elections.

The motorists argue that unless MEC intervenes, many voters may be disenfranchised due to the ongoing fuel crisis.