Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance (Chreaa), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has pledged to intensify calls for the promotion of prisoners’ right to vote in an election.
Chrea executive director Victor Mhango said this last week when the NGO conducted civic and voter education at Zomba Central Prison.
The pledge follows observations that the country’s laws do not allow candidates to hold campaign rallies inside prisons.
Said Mhango: “Additionally, we have the issue of transfers. You know, prisoners are mobile; they can register in Chichiri or Zomba Prison, and then tomorrow they will be released to go back to their communities. All these people need to vote.”
One of the inmates, Dalitso Mtonyo, cited Section 56 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, which, among others, lists military and police establishments as well as other public institutions and the workplace as prohibited places for political campaigns.
“In here, we do not have a chance to access campaign pledges adequately. Hence, it is difficult to evaluate suitable candidates, especially for shadow members of Parliament [MP],” he said.
Another inmate, Steven Phiri said the law needs to be revisited because inmates are citizens like anybody else.
“While I’m in here, my vote can also secure a future for my family back home. If I don’t access enough information from candidates, how can I make the right decision?”
During the event, Chreaa played campaign messages from shadow MPs for the Zomba City South Constituency.
Zomba Central Prison officer in charge Austin Nyoni said the civic and voter education Chreaa conducted at the facility filled the gap and help inmates make informed decisions.
