Law Commission proposes change of polling day in Malawi

The Malawi Law Commission is proposing change in the polling day from May to dry season.

Deputy chief commissioner Mtamandeni Liabunya said the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) finds it difficult to administer polls during the rainy season in May because vehicles delay in submitting and collecting electoral materials from remote areas due to impassable roads damaged by rains.

“We want also to do changes in the way we hold referendum, political campaigns and the behaviour of voters,” said Liabunya.

The deputy chief law commissioner says consultations on the reforms start in October, saying the changes will come effective only after parliament has approved.

MEC also want to go biometrical to minimise chances of cheating and are pushing for reforms so to abolish the first pass the post poll and replace it with the 50+1 poll.

President Peter Mutharika amassed a handful 36 per cent of the vite seconded by Lazarus Chakwera with 28 per cent of the vote and Joyce Banda 24 per cent.