Nice hails voter registration progress in Chitipa

The

nal Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has hailed the ongoing voter registration in Chitipa, saying it is on course despite the first two days of challenges.

This comes after the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) rolled out phase six of the registration process in 144 centres of Chitipa on October 15, earlier than planned. Stakeholders requested for an early registration to avoid challenges that arise due to poor road network during the rainy season.

However, the exercise, expected to register not less than 119 550 by October 28, faced various challenges that barred people from registering during the first two days.

However, Nice civic education officer (North) Enoch Chinkhuntha on Tuesday said MEC has put everything in order and people were registering.

He said Nice as a stakeholder of providing civic education and monitoring of the electoral process in the district is impressed with the registration.

Chinkhuntha claimed the numbers of people registering reflects a successful voter civic education after Nice injected K7 690 000 (US$20 783) into the exercise in Chitipa.

“The problem that is there is that people are coming in large numbers which is putting a lot of pressure on the officials. In some centres, MEC has put extra teams to handle the pressure,” said Chinkhuntha.

However, he said, MEC has to ensure that there is reliable transport during the elections, arguing ballots are sensitive materials and cannot be carried on foot.

MEC commissioner Mezuwa Banda said all areas will have reliable transport during elections. He said the hard to reach areas will have helicopters to ensure that materials and staff are on the ground on time.