US says Malawi voter’s roll needs to be clearer: MEC announces one-day verification extension
United States of America (USA) Ambassador Jeanine Jackson says the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) should ensure a “clearer” voters roll to ensure a credible, free and fair May 20 Tripartite election.
Ambassador Jackson said MEC should ensure voter’s roll is clearer so no voter should be denied a right to vote.
“Voter’s roll needs to be clearer,” said Jackson during the swearing in ceremony for environment and health workers volunteers in Lilongwe.
She said MEC “are the key players in terms of peace, if they mishandle they are creating a situation crises.”
MEC suspended the initial voter’s roll verification exercise following revelations of messed up data, among others.
On Wednesday MEC announced a one-day extension of the third voter verification exercise from May 14 to 15.
MEC Chief Elections Officer Willy Kalonga said the commission was giving a second chance to those who have not verified their names in their respective verification centres.
“This day gives an opportunity to registered voters who have not yet verified their details with the commission through their centres where they are registered,” he said.
He added that registered voters wishing to verify details through the free short messages (SMS) platform are advised to send a message containing their voter registration to the numbers made available to the nation.
The third phase covered the following councils: Ntcheu, Dedza, Lilongwe City, Lilongwe, Mchinji, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu Municipality and Kasungu councils in the central part of the country.
Malawi is among Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries conducting elections this year (2014) apart from South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique among others.
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