The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says procurement of non-sensitive material for the 2025 tripartite elections is at top gear after parliament passed the 2023/2024 budget.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with members of the Multi Party Liaison Committee (MPLC) and Elections Supervisory Team (DEST) on the establishment of voter registration and constituency tally centers in Nkhotakota on Wednesday, Commissioner Richard Chapweteka said the electoral body does not want to be overwhelmed when elections are closer.
“It is true that procurement of non-sensitive materials starts this financial year. We are already in top gear regarding the same,” said Chapweteka in an interview after the meeting.
The Commissioner stressed that the electoral body wants to focus, during the election year, on sensitive materials only hence working on all non-sensitive material to ensure that they are procured before elections.
He expressed gratitude that government has provided all the resources for the exercise.
“We are appreciative to government for listening to our plea to make sure that the forth coming elections are done in a way that do not create panic because materials are coming in late,” said Chapweteka.
Senior Chief Mphonde asked MEC and National Registration Bureau (NRB) to address issues raised.
The Senior Chief cited errors in some registration centres and replacement of national identity cards for those who lost their cards so that such people are able to register and exercise their voting rights.
Speaking on the demarcation of constituencies, Councilor Gaziel Chimzere who is also Nkhotakota District Council Chairperson described the meeting as important saying people of Nkhotakota have been waiting to hear about new boundaries.
Chimzere was pleased that MEC has pledged to resolve all grievances that may arise on the matter.
MEC has increased the number of constituencies to 228 from the current 193.
