Nice by-elections report points to more voter, civic education needed for 2019 Malawi polls

The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has expressed concern over the low turnout of eligible voters  and some confusion in the way null and void  votes were determined in the just ended October 17th by-elections.

Ollen Mwalubunju- Nice Executive Director briefing the media after launching the report

NICE Trust Executive Director Ollen Mwalubunju expressed the concern on Friday during a news conference held at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre in Blantyre, saying the factors are  cause for concern as  the country approach the tripartite elections in 2019.

Mwalubunju said voter apathy remains a challenge around the world and the same was observed during the just ended by-elections in Malawi.

“Voter apathy is big a challenge not only in Malawi but in most countries in the world where elections have been happening. As you know, for any elections, we would like to see the majority of citizens elect a person into an office but this is not what we are seeing,” he said.

Mwalubunju said as NICE Trust, they tried their best to motivate and civic educate citizens on the importance of voting but the numbers were still disappointing.

According to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), a total of 160,476 people registered as voters in the by-election but only 48,025 people voted representing 29.93 percent of the registered voters.

According to Mwalubunju, NICE will conduct a research to establish why most people in the country are not participating in such important exercises.

Nice also noted that ruling DPP and main opposition MCP supporters were “verbally aggressive” towards each other in the by-elections campaign characterised by hate-speeches particluary in Nsanje Lalanje.

 

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Thitherward
Thitherward
6 years ago

The main reason for voter apathy around the world is the lack of candidates perceived to be worth voting for. It’s usually a case of trying to identify the least worst candidate, which is hardly motivating. In each constituency, a pool of preferred candidates should be pre-selected by the constituency, and each party should be obliged to select its candidate from this pool. Voters are sick of having crooks thrust upon them by corrupt parties. Let us be the first country to introduce real democracy. Let us, the people, take control of the democratic process and show the world what… Read more »

Hatton
Hatton
6 years ago

Achi, tangovomerani kuti all the noise that Tambala Wakuda is making is as a result of obtaining parliamentary seats through lets than 29 percent. Not worthy taunting!!!

Chilungamo Chimawawa
Chilungamo Chimawawa
6 years ago

DPP intimidated people through violence, so how do you expect more voters to turn up????????????????

Achi
Achi
6 years ago

Until you choose to be spot-on in your report, you may not adequately address the causes of some of the issues/concerns.
Yes there were reports of violence, but who really were behind the violence? Be spot-on and call a spade by its name. Tell the nation and the world at large that DPP cadets in the south were the primary cause of political violence during the by-elections, no blanket statements.
Umenewo ulemu? Thats why we fail to uproot some of these evils in our beautiful land

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