Security agencies team up for polls
Malawi Police Service (MPS) says it has teamed up with Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Malawi Prison Service and Immigration Department to ensure maximum security during and after the May 21 Tripartite Elections.
MPS national spokesperson James Kadadzera said in an interview on Wednesday that they will be alert and ready to handle any political tension that may rise during the elections.
He said: “As police, we are very ready. Right now, some security officers have already been deployed to all the polling centres across the country to strengthen security throughout the process.
MPS has teamed up with other security agencies such as MDF, Immigration and Prison officers to execute the required security tasks.”
Kadadzera disclosed that apart from police officers manning polling centres, the security organ has also assigned other police officers to carry out general duties of protecting people’s homes and property.
“This is a deliberate move because we do not want to create security gaps for robbers who may wish to take advantage of this period to commit all sorts of crimes,” he said.
Kadadzera has since advised the public to report to police if they notice any act of misconduct by individuals either at polling stations or in communities.
According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, over 6.8 million registered people are expected to cast their votes next Tuesday in the sixth democratic elections to choose local government representatives, parliamentarians and a president.
