Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), says it will hold by-elections in three wards that became vacant upon the conviction of three councilors by the magistrate court sitting in Karonga on 1 September, 2023.
According to MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafuliwa, the by-elections will be held on 26 March, 2024 in Kaporo ward in Karonga north constituency, Chilanga ward in Karonga north-west constituency as well as Rukuru ward in Karonga north-west constituency.
He said the three councilors were convicted of offences involving dishonesty which automictically rendered the seats vacant and according to sections 23 and 47 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, the commission is obliged to conduct by-elections so that the electorate continue to enjoy representation in the council.
“Presentation of nomination papers for those that wish to contest in the local by-elections in those three wards in Karonga shall take place on 6 March, 2024, each and every candidate has been allocated time so our appeal to everyone is that they should stick to the time, if they face any challenge, they should report to their returning officer immediately to be assisted.
“We also appeal for peace and calm to prevail even when supporters of different candidates bump each other they should not spark violence or use abusive words,” Mwafuliwa said.
Further to that, Mwafuliwa added that for these by-elections, the commission open centers for seven days for voter registration and inspection and this was done from 19 to 25 February, 2024 in all three by-elections areas.
This is was used as an opportunity to register new voters aged 18 and above who have never been registered in previous elections or will attain voting age by 26 March, 2024.
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