Mec calls for Covid-conscious campaign
Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Chairperson Justice Chifundo Kachale has urged stakeholders not to compromise on Covid preventive measures during campaign in by-elections slated for March 30.
The commission will administer by-elections in seven constituencies and two wards that fell vacant following either the death of officer-bearers or nullification of results by the courts.
Mec engaged traditional leaders in Lilongwe Msinja South Constituency on Saturday, where Kachale challenged those canvassing for votes to prioritise followers’ health.
“We are sending traditional leaders to help us in spreading the message that there is a need that, when conducting campaigns, there should be no violation of Covid preventive rules.
“There is also a need to make sure that people are campaigning in a peaceful manner; there should be no violence. The traditional leaders should also remind voters of procedures they need to follow on voting day,” Kachale said.
Senior Group Village Head Msepe said traditional leaders had to give each candidate the platform for campaign.
“We also have to urge youths to take part in elections and promote peaceful means of campaigning,” he said.
Mec is expected to administer elections in seven constituencies of Nsanje Central, Nsanje North, Chikwawa East, Karonga North West, Zomba Changalume, Lilongwe Nsinja South and Ntchisi North.
There will also be elections in Liviridzi Ward in Balaka District and Chitakale Ward in Mulanje District.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
