Uladi calls for voting compulsory
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the central region Uladi Mussa has called for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to make voting compulsory.
Mussa said this on Friday at a National Election Consultative Forum (NECOF) the commission organized on Friday in Lilongwe.
He made these remarks while reacting to revelations of worrying voter apathy trends that the country has been experiencing since the dawn of democracy.
“It will help people to have MPs, councilors and presidents accepted by all because this voter apathy too has contributed to some undeserved people winning elections,” said Mussa.
He described voting compulsory as the only way to eradicate voter apathy and one of the strong tenets of democracy noting because the former is a civic duty.
In the 23 June court sanctioned presidential elections, over two million registered voters did not show up at polling stations and the voter turnout was pegged at just 64.81%.
Earlier on at the NECOF, MEC Chairperson Chifundo Kachale had described most of the null and void votes in the 23 June polls as a protest by disgruntled people due to despicable words voters marked on the ballot papers.
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Voting is a right, not a duty. And how can MEC make voting compulsory? Is MEC a law making body? He should prepare a bill and take it to Parliament, which of course will shoot it down. This shows the emptiness in DPP leadership. Absolutely clueless about democracy!
I have never belonged to any political party and never voted, but I pay my taxes.
You cannot force me to vote!
Anthu amatukwana pa ballot kkkkkkkk. koma Malawians