National News

Old woman defies odds to vote in Chibanja

An 82-year-old woman stunned scores of registered voters at New Jerusalem polling centre in Chibanja Ward in Mzuzu City to cast her vote in the August 25 by-elections despite suffering a stroke two years ago.

Chirwa being helped out of the vehicle
Chirwa being helped out of the vehicle

Nancy Chirwa, who uses a walking stick, alighted from a vehicle that brought her to the centre and refused to be assisted to walk.

However, concerned with her slow pace, some people went against her will and assisted her to walk to the voting room where she was met by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) staff.

Chirwa was given the opportunity to vote before the voters she found queueing at the centre.

She said: “I love my country, I don’t want it to be ruled by bad leaders, hence, I defied my frail health to vote for the candidate of my choice.”

She was among the 6 296 registered voters in Chibanja Ward.

“This is encouraging and we admire the old woman’s courage and patriotism,” New Jerusalem centre supervisor Davis Kumwenda said as he welcomed her in.

MEC was conducting the by-election to fill the vacancy created by the death of councillor Charles Nyirongo who won in the May 20, 2014 Tripartite Elections.

The election was won by Charles Mlogera of Malawi Congress Party(MCP). n

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