MEC rallies voters for today’s by-elections

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has appealed to registered voters in the three local government wards where by-elections are taking place today to turnout in large numbers to choose their representatives.

MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said in an interview yesterday that during the previous local government by-elections, turnout was low.

He said: “We urge people to appreciate the important roles played by councillors and come out in large numbers to vote.

“People should know that it is possible for a candidate to win an election by one vote. So, if they decide to stay home, their vote might be the decisive one for their candidate.”

Mwafulirwa said voting is expected to start at 6am and close at 6pm in all three wards.

The by-elections are taking place in Chitipa Wenya in Chitipa Wenya Constituency where 5 048 people registered, Lupembe Ward in Karonga Central Constituency where 7 947 people registered and Shire Ward in Balaka Central East Constituency where 24 849 people registered.

Five candidates are contesting in Chitipa Wenya, four in Lupembe Ward and six candidates in Shire Ward.

In a separate interview yesterday, political commentator Ernest Thindwa said voter apathy in by-elections is a problem across all democracies.

He said: “The key issue is that the contest for the biggest prize, which is the right to govern through either winning the presidency or premiership, has already been settled. By-elections do not change who gets the biggest prize.

“As such, most citizens are not motivated to vote in by-elections and that explains why we have tripartite elections essentially to, among other concerns, improve turnout for parliamentary and local government elections which would attract low turnout if they were to be held separately from presidential elections.”

The commission is expected to announce the winners tomorrow from the main tally centre at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu.