Figures show low turn out for voter registration phase one

Figures from  pollster, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) show that far less people registered for the just ended phase one voter registration exercise Kasungu, Dedza and Salima.

MEC commissioner Moffat Banda: We don’t want to affect electoral calendar

However, MEC commissioner Moffat Banda ruled out returning to the three districts for another round of registration after the first one flopped, saying this could affect the elections calendar.

In Dedza, 300,000 registered out of the projected 400 000 eligible voters whilst in Kasungu, a mere 200, 000 registered out of the projected 472000 voters. In Salima,   a handful 170000 registered out of the projected 400, 000.

The Malawi Elections Systems Network (Mesn) has since warned of further poor voter registration exercises if donors fail to release funding for the 118 accredited civic education CSOs.

“The accredited CSOs cannot do their work because of lack of funding,” said Steve Duwa.

Only Nice was able to access funding and do the civic education.

However, Moffat Banda says MEC has now engaged traditional leaders, drama groups and musicians to up the civic education campaign.

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Nalingula
Nalingula
5 years ago

Now you are talking about engagi ng Chiefs ,Musicians,Drama groups.Mkuona timati munakapanga Sampling kae kuti muone ma Challenges. Ndie anthu aku Salima, Kasungu muwatatani?Less than Half of Projected Figures have Registered.Go back to these Areas with Proper Civic Education. Ndalama zirimo muno .

Heavy-duty
Heavy-duty
5 years ago

Komatu ngati ndi zoona kuti they needed more civic education then this is very worrisome. What does it take to teach a chewa? Why they seem to glue to point yoti akavotera National ID and they are failing to stick to the alternative point yoti National ID sangavotere (after being taught by NICE?) Why are we behaving like Chimpanzees. A couple of years ago a Science ena (ma evolutionist) anatenga Chimpanzee and attempted to teach it speaking and it took more than 15 years for the Chimpanzee to attempt even very preliminary words like “mama” and “dada”. Do we want… Read more »

Omex70
Omex70
5 years ago

The big problem is that both Jane Ansah and Moffat Banda are DPP die-hards who are masquerading as Electoral Commissioners… They are there to rig elections. The first strategy is through this registration process. You will see how they will sensitize people in the southern region to go out and register when it will be their turn to register.

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Omex70

Mwayamba kulira kale?

Wapsa tonola
Wapsa tonola
5 years ago

Iwe Moffat Banda Ndiwe Judus Iscaliot Chifukwa chakuti anthu aku dowa west sadakuvotere 2014 Pa ticket ya DPP ukufuna kutikhomelera iweyo ukufuna Malawi amwalire ndithu bola Mimba yako ikukhuta. Galu wachabechabe iwe …lero ndipomwe wadziwa kuti ma local leaders ndi ofunika chifukwa chakuti Dedza, kasungu ndi Salima wadutsa kale ? Kapena mafumu a maboma awawa ndiosafunika? Why you skipped them Mr idiot? you must be stupid

Lilongwe
Lilongwe
5 years ago

MCP and Chakwera kugwa nayo poyera-poyera.

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago

It would be unwise to go back to these areas and continue with the process, because then every area should have two opportunities. That is how democracy should work.
Moreover, chances are the people who chose to not register will not be convinced to do so in this cycle.
It is, as it should be: “you snooze, you lose”; or put another way, One vote, One chance basi.

Lilongwe
Lilongwe
5 years ago

True. Some people just comment on issues without understanding the logistics. If MEC goes back, then all districts should have second registration slot. The implication is it will impact on electoral calendar but also finances.

Becks
Becks
5 years ago
Reply to  Lilongwe

So what is the problem with doing that? Thats democracy

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Becks

For one, COST, achimwene! For other issues, see @Lilongwe right above your comment. Asa.

Cognitive DIssonance Theory
Cognitive DIssonance Theory
5 years ago

People were misinformed about using National IDs for voting that is why some stayed away. It would be wrong for MEC to be adamant not to extend the registration period. These elections are for people, refusing them to register is to disenfranchise them.

Heavy-duty
Heavy-duty
5 years ago

Ngati ndi zoona kuti additional civic education is needed nde funso nkumati “Kodi a Chewa mumamva ndi chani? Mumafuna anthu ayakhurire kuti? Kumbuyo kapena?” A Science ena a za evolution anayesera kuphunzitsapo chimpanzee to speak but it took more than 15 years for it to attempt speaking even preliminary words like “mama”. Zikufanana ndi inu achewa. I think you are un-teachable. What does it take for you to listen (and understand?) Now am beginning to believe zija amanena atumbuka zija kuti inu ndinu agothi, mbuzi komanso dziwathu dzopanda nzeru, zosaphunzitsika. But I chose not to believe kuti achewa ndi a… Read more »

Becks
Becks
5 years ago

When has the Electoral calendar become more important than People’s rights to vote? If Moffat Banda and MEC were not part of the DPP rigging scheme, they would have a listening ear. Hear what stakeholders are saying. Why not extend days for registration. The question of resources should never be an excuse. When did Moffat Banda give funding to MEC to run its errands? Moffat banda and Ansah are exhibiting too much emotions in this process. Why not sobber up and use brains?

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Becks

Are you kidding me? There is no project to be conducted with unlimited resources.
Even if your Bwanas from overseas fund these projects, the pockets are not as bottomless as you may think.

Becks
Becks
5 years ago

How do you define limited or unlimited? All these are relative terms. How much money is being stolen day in day out?

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Becks

No need to define “limited” here. Waste of time.
But, you are right, resource availability should be considered in a relative sense. And, in that context, the poorer the shallower the pocket. And, so, Malawi, in it’s pathetic state of poverty, cannot afford to be conducting, again and again, the same election procedures
at the same place, just because people were NOT interested the first time around.
You think your British or American friends will appreciate your lack of respect for people’s wishes, in a democracy? And give us money to show similar results?

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