Chakwera raises Malawi rigging fears
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Presidential aspirant, Reverend Dr Lazarus Chakwera has alleged that some people are taking voter certificates from people, especially from his constituency.
Briefing the press after presenting his nomination papers in Blantyre, Chakwera said he is reliably informed that there are some people who have been asking for voter certificates in exchange for fertilizer and those in charge are keeping the certificates for two days or more without any explanation before the people get their fertilizer.
“People in the rural areas have no choice but to give out their certificates since they are poor and need the fertilizer for their crops,” he said.
He added: “What is worrisome is the fact that these people in charge of the fertilizer are affiliated to some political party, a thing which everyone may conclude that they are using the voter certificates for something else or tampering with it.”
The MCP leader said the party is trying to get more evidence to present to MEC for further action, saying he is hopeful that MEC will resolve the issue.
In a related development, as the elections get closer, many cases of rigging fears are coming up. On Monday, MEC wrote to the Malawi Police to launch an investigation on allegations that the commission is conniving with the ruling People’s Party to rig the elections.
Last month, MCP alleged that PP purchased uniforms to be used by civilians during elections as part of the rigging process.
In his remarks after MCP presented its nomination papers, MEC chairperson, Maxon Mbendela SC, asked political parties to assist in voter education.
“MEC is geared to providing a free, fair and credible election not only to the satisfaction of political parties but to every stakeholder. This will be possible if political parties also play their role,” he said.
