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MEC registers 600 000 in third phase

Eligible voters registering during the second phase of the exercise
Eligible voters registering during the second phase of the exercise

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says 679 706 voters registered during the third phase of the voter registration exercise for the 2014 Tripartite Elections which covered Mulanje, Phalombe and Thyolo districts.

The figure represents a 15.65 percent increase over the 587 703 registered in 2010 during the failed Local Government Elections in the covered areas.

In a statement released on Wednesday, MEC chief elections officer Willie Kalonga said the third phase was successful.

The fourth phase started on Wednesday this week and will close on September 24 2013 in Zomba, Machinga and Balaka districts as well as Phalombe North and Phalombe Central constituencies.

During the third phase of the exercise in the area, 388 161 women registered, representing a 57 percent increase from 2010 while 291 545 men registered, representing a 43 percent increase.

Phalombe recorded the biggest number of registered voters at 115 744 from 97 230 in 2010, representing a 19 percent overall increase.

The National Statistical Office (NSO) current figures show that Phalombe has a population of 313 129, Mulanje 521 391 and Thyolo (including Luchenza Municipality) has 587 053.

According to MEC 1 986 500 people have so far registered since the exercise started and despite the high turn out MEC faced some challenges with the old cameras and printers that were being used. Centres with more than one stream were sharing equipment.

This will be the first time for Malawi to hold a three-fold election.

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One Comment

  1. Let’s we pray that there will be no voter apathy in next year’s elections. All the stakeholders involved in the voters exercise program should entisfy there civic education especially in the remote areas. Let’s we pray for free and fair elections.

    All in all, God Bless Malawi!!!!

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