Malawi Voter Registration Continues in 2 Wards Ahead of By-Elections
The by-elections are being held to fill vacant ward councilor positions in the two areas.
BLANTYRE, Malawi— Malawi's Electoral Commission is urging eligible voters in Mwasa (Mangochi) and Chilaweni (Blantyre) wards to register or verify their details this weekend ahead of by-elections on July 23, writes Winston Mwale.
Registration will be open Saturday and Sunday until 4 p.m., with no extension period planned, the commission said in a statement Friday from its media director, Sangwani Mwafulirwa.
"All those who registered for the 2019 elections should go and verify their names and not register again," Mwafulirwa said.
"Registration is for those based in the two wards, who did not register for the 2019 elections. They should be 18 years and above or should be turning 18 by July 23."
The commission cautioned that any previous registration in Mwasa ward has been set aside, requiring new registration for that area.
"If they do not go and register, they will not be able to vote because their details will not be in the voters' register," the statement said.
"The previous registration details were set aside, they will not be added to the 2019 voter register."
Voter verification is encouraged even for those already registered "because it helps to deal with any challenge or irregularity while there is time, unlike discovering them during polling day when we may not have ample time to sort out issues."
The by-elections are being held to fill vacant ward councilor positions in the two areas.