Ministers Ben Phiri tells parents to refuse register under age children to vote

Minister of Local government and Rural Development Ben Phiri has has discouraged parents from allowing under age children from registering for the fresh presidential elections.

His remarks come at a time when there is a bitter war of words, which at times has turned into political violence between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM over the matter.

The remarks follow reports that in some districts minors are being registered in  the voting records as the  exercise continues.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Jane Ansah on Tuesday confirmed having received a complaint on the matter from the MCP. She described the matter as crucial as sometimes it is hard to establish the age of a person.

However, in his remarks at a funeral in Kasungu, Phiri appealed to parents not to allow their children to get registered for the upcoming July 2nd elections.

“Age cheating will have negative effect on these children when they grow up because they will be retired earlier in the civil service before they reach their actual age,” he said.

Phiri has since expressed dismay over hate speeches that some politicians are using to gain political mileage.

He said this would lead to tribal and regional disputes in the country.

Meanwhile, the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has condemned barbaric acts of politically motivated violence in the country.

There have been reports of political attacks in some parts of the country that are occurring amidst phase two of voters’ registration process.

In a statement signed by Ollen Mwalubunju-NICE Trust Executive Director-the Trust has learnt with dismay about the acts currently to have happened Mulanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, Lilongwe and Dowa districts.

The Trust has also condemned with strongest terms the bombing of UTM offices in Lilongwe in the wee hours of today-May 5th.

With this NICE Trust has called on all political party leaders in the country to make aware to their followers’ repercussions of such acts in a democratic dispensation.

Nice Trust has extended its call to MEC and the police and other relevant stakeholders to make the political environment conducive for everyone at a time political parties are in preparation of the July 2nd fresh presidential elections.

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