By Pemphero Malimba:
The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has expressed optimism that next year’s election timeline will not be affected by fuel shortages.
Last week, Mec Communications Officer Richard Mveriwa told The Daily Times that the commission faced fuel shortages during the first phase of the voter registration exercise, which ended on November 3 2024.
However, Mveriwa assured The Daily Times Sunday that an agreement between the commission and the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) had given them hope that there would be no fuel shortage during the second phase of the voter registration exercise and other electoral processes.
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“Mec has established an agreement with Mera that allows us to purchase fuel in bulk. This arrangement is essential to ensuring that our operations, especially those related to voter registration, civic education and other field activities, continue uninterrupted,” he said.
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Mveriwa added that the move would ensure the commission could implement all its activities smoothly.
“We remain confident that this practical measure will enable us to meet our logistical needs and we do not foresee the fuel shortage affecting the operation timelines for the 2025 elections.
“We hope that this issue of fuel shortages will soon be resolved and that fuel will be readily available in the country,” he added.
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa has since challenged Mec and other stakeholders to ensure that electoral processes are not hindered by fuel shortages.
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“The arrangement between Mera and Mec should indeed be implemented because this voter registration exercise is a critical process in the electoral system.
“If we don’t get it right at registration, then there is a risk that the outcome of the election may not reflect the will of the people. It is, therefore, vital that this arrangement is honoured and effectively implemented,” Kaiyatsa said.
Mec conducted the first phase of the voter registration exercise from October 21 to November 3 2024 in Chitipa, Karonga, Karonga Town, Mzuzu City, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Salima, Dedza, Balaka, Machinga, Chiradzulu, Neno, Phalombe and Mulanje.
At least 2.2 million voters have registered during the first phase.
The commission is currently conducting the second phase of the voter registration exercise in Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Likoma, Kasungu, Kasungu Municipality, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntcheu, Zomba, Zomba City, Blantyre, Blantyre City, Thyolo and Luchenza.
This phase runs from November 9 to 22 2024.
