Malawi Electoral Commission warns on multiple registration
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has warned Malawian nationals of registering more than once in the ongoing voter registration exercise currently underway and in its fourth phase.
This comes following the arrest of a 23 year old who was arrested and found guilty in the court of law on the same.
On Tuesday, September 10, 2013 the First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Thyolo fined the woman K20,000 after she pleaded guilty to the offence.
Nyasa Times understands that the woman, Nelia Mwanatitha on August 28, 2013 went to register as a voter at Mgunda School disguising herself as Ivy Luciano.
She again, on August 30, 2013 went to the same registration centre where she registered as Nelia Mwanatitha which happens to her real name.
Mwatintha was arrested upon being recognized by one of the monitors at the centre.
After being interrogated, she confessed that she was registering for the second time because she had lost her previous certificate.
Ms Mwanatitha was taken to court where she pleaded guilty and was fined K20, 000 or to serve six months imprisonment with hard labour in case of default. She however paid the fine.
Meanwhile, MEC has warned all Malawians to keep safe their new voter identification cards.
The voters have however being advised not to register twice hence there is a chance to be given new cards without re-registering.
“Whenever, a registrant has lost a voter certificate by whatever means, it is not acceptable for them to register for a second time. The advice to them is that when the Malawi Electoral Commission re-opens the centers for voter verification, they should go to the centre where they registered and report what happened to their certificate” said Sangwani Mwafulirwa who is MEC PRO.
“A voter certificate is a useful document which has to be kept safe. With elections being next year, those who have registered should always avoid moving around with the certificate because that increases the chances of losing it.”
He said multiple registration is a criminal offence and if found guilty the convict can be fined up to K500,000 or be sent to jail up to two years.
The fourth phase of registration has commenced in Zomba, Machinga and Balaka districts, Zomba City and also Phalombe North and Phalombe Central constituencies and will run from September 11 to 24, 2013.
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