Poor turnout marks bypolls: Mutharika votes in Thyolo East

Voter apathy characterized the parliamentary by-elections that were conducted Tuesday October 7 in Thyolo East and Blantyre North constituencies as well as in five other local wards for councillors.

Voting in the Thyolo East parliamentary by-election started on a low note with most polling stations having only a trickle of voters.

Malawi President Peter Mutharika went to cast his vote at Goliati Primary School in Thyolo East. He arrived at 12:40pm and took just four minutes to finish the whole process of casting his vote.

Mutharika was even surprised with the voter apathy and was overhear asking some senior officials why the centre had registered a low turnout.

Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot, Mutharika who won the seat in May 20 elections but relinquished it as he is Head of State, said he had “to vote and exercise my right to participate in voting.”

A snap survey by Nyasa Times at some polling stations in Blantyre North revealed low voter turnout at most polling stations which opened at 06:00 hours.

Voter turnout was impressive in the morning in Ntcheu for Kandeu Ward in Ntcheu North Constituency but later declined gradually leaving polling staff with no people to attend to.

MEC was conducting the by-elections in the two constituencies and five wards after voting was postponed during the May 20 Tripartite Elections due to death of aspiring candidates.