MEC suspend voter registration in Blantyre over attacks: Malawi fresh election
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has suspended voter registration exercise in Blantyre City with immediate effect following sporadic attacks in various registration centers by political thugs on Tuesday morning.
The armed gang linked to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accused the Commission of continuing with voter registration amidst the threat of coronavirus pandemic which has far attacked16 people and claimed lived of two in the country.
The MEC chairperson Jane Ansah said in statement seen by Nyasa Times that the decision was made “to protect the lives of registrants, voter registration staff and MEC property”.
Reads the statement in part: “Stakeholders are informed that on Saturday, 11th April 2020, the Commission filed an application with the Supreme Court of Appeal for orders or directions to vary the Constitutional Court order in view of the coronavirus threat.”.
It further says the Commission will, immediately after Supreme Court determination on the matter, advise the nation on the future of voter registration in the affected centers.
Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Maurice Munthali told a local radio that he believes the vandals are members of DPP who have long tried using different tactics to stop the fresh elections, a view which was supported by the opposition UTM spokesperson Chidanti Malunga.
However, DPP officials have disowned the thugs, saying the party is peaceful and is ready for the July 2 fresh presidential elections which they claimed they will win with a landslide.
Southern Region police spokesperson Ramsey Mushani says the police have released on a bail one the suspect they arrested because he was brutally beaten up by the communities.
The suspect has been identified by many on social media as a known DPP cadre involved in violent activities.
Commenting on the developments, political scientist Mustafa Hussein, who teaches at Chancellor College—a constituent college of the University of Malawi, said from the narration the gangs were sponsored by some political parties to disrupt the fresh presidential elections process.
He branded the gang as “desperate criminals” and condemned the act.
Said Hussein: “People should remember that we are repeating this presidential election. Every election process requires money and trying to block this fresh presidential elections means draining the tax-payers’ money.”
MEC is set to hold a fresh presidential election on July 2 2020, a day before the expiry of the 150 days as set by the High Court sitting as the Constitutional Court which nullified the May 21 2019 presidential election.
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Mukanakamenyanso ma vendor pogulisa malonda mumsika kuli corona osangoti poti mukuopa zisankho muzibisalila corona. Chimpwilikiti chamunsika sichingafanane ndi mzere olembetsa pa nkhani yofalisa corona. Zalowa ndale @corona#kuiopera send by Peter Jane oyimbila
DPP always refute and disown the perpetrators. They just a day ago refute the authoring of a letter which accused ConCourt of biased ruling only their own coming forward to own the letter, embarrassing Dausi in the process.
DPP wagwidwanso.
Dausi Ali mkati mopanga spin nkuzagwidwanso, DPP lekani, dzanja lalemba.
I love violence. And I look forward to more violence. Covid-19: The Movie. Continues.
DPP cadet has been taken to one of the private hospitals in Blantyre. Koma tipex government still kukakamula Mboma no one wants Mbuyanu
Umphawi ndi tchimo, tamuonani munthu akutumidwayo kuti akawononge katundu waboma, iyeyo sasamba alimbuu kutuwa, samadya bwino, nthiti ngati chiwala, kamimbako ngati mwana osowa zakudya, kungoonera bweya kuti ndimunthu wamkulu, kufera zayeni for what?
NANUSO mumachedwa pati kumupha ndi miyala ameneyo? mukunyamuzana mukukma naye kuti? mwandibhowa bwanj.Kunalibe ma teyala kumeneko?
aulule kaye omwe amutumawo.
Satanists plans not to have elections so that they continue to reap Malawians of their right to choose the president of their choice and fatten their personal pockets of course
What a Stupid Decision ….Poti ndi Ma Cadet Basi you suspend registration …If she was an Independent Commissioner this was the Time to engage MDF ….We all know that Police are Below DPP cadets on the Security Hierarchy of the 150 days government ….But because like DPP she does not want the Elections this is her Lame Excuse .. . ..We are missing Nundwe already the People’s General
….
Where is the so called Army Commander? Dzukani bambo, siyani kaye u cadet!
So MEC has enough money to hire foreign lawyers but have no money to hire enough security to man registration centres?
I think this suspension was prearranged with DPP……but the bottom line is that it does not matter how long DPP want to hang on to power, time is coming when they will leave govt and that will be a payback time…
Beat the suspects pliz, do not take them to police
Zachilendo ku Malawi apolisi kutulutsa wa opposition a bail asanalowe mu cell nkukhalamo masiku angapo! Masukani a Mushani kuti mwamutulutsa pa bail Dausi atayimbira a IG mmene amakayendera ku Mchinji za COVID-19 pa 14 April.
Covid ndiyoti ukaendere nayo?
Eishhhhh who can dispute DPP is evil…..they r trying every tactic to disrupt the upcoming elections, no no no God is on the side of Malawians this time around
Maurice Munthali, have gone to get nomination papers? Osamangolubwalubwa
Tazipanganiko manyazi,nthawi zina zimaonetsa umunthu.
KKKKKK “Maurice Munthali have gone”
Nthena mwangukomerathu Waka stupid president kukamwa ngat khomo lachimbuz stupid Peter u don’t know how we feel. We feel very bad to have u as Malawian president Jane ansah must surely die for bringing us this thing