MEC reschedules phase 7 registration to Nkhata Bay

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has rescheduled phase seven of the registration process from Karonga to Nkhata Bay.

The exercise was supposed to start in Karonga on November 1 after phase six in Chitipa district.

MEC commissioner Mezuwa Banda confirmed the change on Wednesday. He said MEC opted for Nkhata Bay because it is hilly, a development that  could make it unreachable in case of rains.

“Karonga is flat and most of the areas are accessible unlike Nkhata Bay which is hilly,” said Banda.

Banda said voter registration sensitisation has since started in Nkhata bay.

“Right now, I am coming from Nkhata Bay.  We have sensitised chiefs in Nkhata Bay South, South East and North West. The exercise is going on well,” said Banda.

National initiative for Civic Education (NICE) civic education officer (North) Enoch Chinkhuntha said the sudden changes in phases affects planning of civil society organisations (CSOs) conducting voter civic education, the sensitisation and might also affect registration.

He said there is need for consistency in programmes so that people are not inconvenienced.

However, Banda said the change was necessary. He said the voter education will not be affected much considering that organisations that conduct the exercise already operate in the districts.

He said the CSOs can also reschedule without difficulties just as MEC has done.