MEC cancels ward councilors’ by elections meetings, funding woes

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has cancelled the launch of meetings for by elections citing delayed funding, Nyasa Times has learnt.

The commission is expected to hold elections in a number of wards where the positions fell vacant for a number of reasons including death.

The five wards where the by-elections are expected to take place are Msikisi in Mangochi, Khwawa in Karonga, Chibanja in Mzuzu, Luchenza in Luchenza and Zomba Central Ward in Zomba City.

In Zomba, for example, an election is supposed to be held for former Zomba City mayor Joana Ntaja who died in March.

The meetings for the by-elections, a statement signed by chief elections officer Willie Kalonga said, were supposed to take place in the wards on Thursday, April 30, 2014.

The cancellation has “reached at because of delayed funding for the by- elections from government. However, stakeholders should note that other preparatory activities for the by-elections will continue as planned,” the statement reads in part.

MEC continue to suffer a number of challenges in making sure that its programs are implemented without hurdles.

During the May 20, 2014 controversially regarded tripartite elections, which saw Pres Peter Mutharika, ascend to the presidency, the commission faced a number of problems including lack of lamps and transport.