Editors PickNational News

DPP accuses MEC of voter tampering

Mwafulirwa: Polls are serious business
Mwafulirwa: Polls are serious business

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) of inflating figures of registered voters at one centre in Mulanje, claiming it is a political ploy to balloon figures on the voters’ roll in other centres.

The party has been lodging complaints with the commission since phase three of voter registration, but there has been no response, according to the party’s national director of elections Kondwani Nankhumwa.

But MEC has disputed this assertion.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party cited Mulanje Mission Centre in Mulanje Central Constituency where the commission reported 6 502 registered voters against a figure of 5 338 which the party claims was recorded by monitors of political parties and the civil society.

Nankhumwa happens to be member of Parliament of the area.

“We are, therefore, worried of the credibility of the results of next year’s election as this is happening against the background of buying of voter registration cards across the country by the ruling elite.

“One might conclude that these confiscated cards might be used to balloon the voters’ roll in some targeted constituencies and rig the elections,” Nankhumwa said.

The party also demanded an explanation from MEC on the whereabouts of a camera alleged to have been stolen by a registration staff.

“Where is he? What is he doing with the camera? Secretly and illegally registering others?” Nankhumwa queried.

In response, MEC through head of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa warned stakeholders in the election, especially political parties, to desist from making unverified statements to the public.

“Elections are serious and emotional business and election stakeholders should not be excited at making statements to the public,” he said.

On the allegation of the voters’ roll tampering, Mwafulirwa said Mulanje Central Constituency did not have a centre named Mulanje Mission, but Mulanje CCAP School which he suspected was the one DPP referred to.

 

 

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