Changes Made to Election Act Including Polling Hours, Public Holiday Provision
The Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Act, 2023 undergoes revisions, altering polling hours and making polling day a public holiday.
Mponela, Malawi - The Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Act, 2023, has introduced significant changes, including adjustments to polling hours and the declaration of polling day as a public holiday, writes Winston Mwale.
Under the previous legislation, polling stations were open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. without any provision for the polling day to be a public holiday.
However, the new amendments have brought about the following modifications:
(i) Polling hours will now begin at 6:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m., providing officials with ample time to count the ballots.
(ii) Furthermore, the polling day itself will now be recognised as a public holiday, ensuring that citizens have ample opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
MEC says these revisions aim to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of the electoral system by accommodating the needs and commitments of diverse individuals and communities.
this doesn't make sense to me - this is a 2 hour loss isn't it?
Under the previous legislation, polling stations were open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(i) Polling hours will now begin at 6:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m., providing voters with additional time to cast their ballots.