Low turnout worries MEC

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed concern over low turnout in some voter registration centers in Zomba district.

Speaking after touring some centers in the district, MEC chairperson, Justice Jane Ansah expressed concern that some areas visited had not even reached half of the targeted population.

“I am not happy that in most centers things have not worked as expected, there is low turn up, most of the centers have not even reached half of the targeted population except the few,” she said.

Justice Ansah said the seemingly lack of interest from many to register in the exercise is coming common despite every means to encourage people to register.

When asked on what could be the reason behind such apathy Ansah said her commission is clueless.

“We have tried every means, we have used so many channels of raising awareness so we don’t know why, however, we still expect a good turn-up as we finish because we have seen in other districts people turning to register in good numbers the very last day,” she explained.

In Zomba alone, MEC was expected to register at least 408,765 people but it was doubtful whether MEC will reach the target by the end of the exercise on Tuesday.

Phase six of voter registration exercise has been done in three district of Mangochi, Zomba and Nsanje.

Phase 7 will commence from October 8 October 21, 2018 and will cover 5 districts of Chitipa; Karonga, Rumphi, Machinga and Chiradzulu.

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