MEC says enforcing physical distancing voter registration: ‘No cause for worry’
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says its staff have been trained to enforce physical distancing – a public health practice that aims to prevent spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) .
The electoral body is currently conducting voter registration in some districts across the country—Karonga, Chitipa, Salima , Dedza, Ntcheu, Blantyre, Chikwawa and Nsanje—starting from on Saturday, April 4 to April 17 2020.
MEC publicist Sangwani Mwafulirwa said MEC staff have been trained to enforce social distance – a recommended precautionary measure- hence no cause for worry.
But Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dan Namarika contended that there are over 5 000 people under surveillance who may easily come into contact with others during voter registration, thereby aggravating the situation.
Following the confirmation of a new infection, Malawi is among nine other African countries that have registered new Covid-19 cases as of on Saturday afternoon. Morocco had the highest number of new infections after authorities there confirmed 67 positive Covid-19 tests.
Namarika said government should priortise Covid-19 over elections, saying the right to life must reign supreme and that the on-going voters registration taking place in some parts of the country threatens efforts to contain the Covid-19 as such an exercise defies social distancing..
He also said he submitted a report to the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) where among other issues has expressed reservations with voter registration in preparation for the Constitutional Court ordered fresh presidential elections.
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Tiye nazoni, litimatu silabwino, liphesa ambiri. You mean you don’t see any problem carrying on presidential elections amidst Covid19 pandemic? Think of those people in remote areas, no masks, no hand sanitizer and no water to wash their hands as recommended. Why do you want to risk peoples lives? You will be ‘safe’ in your comfortable houses when those people will be exposed to the virus awaiting to vote. Schools are closed, boarders closed, church buildings closed BUT people are allowed to register and vote and you confidently said there is no cause to worry???? Really? Am in a foreign… Read more »
Can we please deal with this covid 19 first, someone use their head please.
Cholinga iwe Namalikha ukabe ndramazo komaso ukuopa kuti opposition kuwina iweyo pa ulendo,
No cause for worry?! MEC I don’t need to call u stupid guys but election registration has to stop. G7&G20 countries are scared that they won’t handle pressure of patients in their hospitals but they have finance,well paid healthy workers,facilities,etc.In this matter prevention is better than cure..so what is Malawi!? Impovershed,poorest country in the world u shud be talking of vote registraion? Who are u afraid of? Stop this Nonses if u want whole Malawi to perish even without Panado in hospitals, go ahead. It just show how empty Malawians are with mean minds..what’s an election at this time? Billion… Read more »
Not the old MEC please,
Just get your perks and disappear; no more messing up elections!
Is it possible to place a moratorium on thieving in government since covid-19 will affect the electoral calendar!
Cancel the registration and cancel the elections for now!!!!!! I am not going to risk my life just to register or vote and yet I want to do both. MEC do not get forced into doing things which these 3 farts( saulos/chakwera/mtumbo) want!! Do what is humane and right CANCEL the stinking corrupt election! These 3 farts are in a hurry to steal and don’t care about people’s lives
You stay home we going to vote with our hand sanitisers, masks and frequently washing hands cause we want to take out the biggest corona at State House for a better Malawi not this zimbabwe we have ! And by July 2 corona should be a thing of the past just like in China!
Hehehe your days are numbered cadet! Make sure you steal enough to keep you for the rest of your life plus litigation charges after you get arrested. Hope you’re packing. I like the idea that you shouldn’t go to vote. Please spread the no voting good knews to all DPP cadets. Maula is waiting for you!
asankhe ena osati acina jeni wa nde ai.
nkhondo zingati
corona
mec