By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, February 21, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson for Electoral Services Committee, Commissioner Olivia Liwewe, has expressed satisfaction with voters’ turn-up for verification exercise at different registration centres in Karonga.

She made the sentiments Tuesday after inspecting registration Centre’s ahead of the local government by-elections to be held in the district on March 26, 2024.

"I have inspected 13 registration Centre’s; eight on Monday and five today (Tuesday). We have positive start in all these centres as majority of people are coming for the exercise," said Liwewe.

While admitting low turn-up for new registrants, Commissioner Liwewe expressed optimism that the status quo will improve.

"New registrants are likely to be few because these are people who have just attained 18 years. Another reason is that registration exercise has just started. Majority of people will show up after information about the exercise fully reaches out their localities," she said.

Supervisor for Baka Primary School Registration Centre, Joyce Kapepa, emphasized on the need to intensify community mobilization to encourage more people to go for registration and verification exercises.

The by-elections will be taking place after three wards in the district fell vacant on September 1, 2023 following conviction of three ward councilors who were found guilty of pocketing K2.4 million from 80 Karonga market vendors promising them plots in 2019.