MEC raising awareness on new laws

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is raising awareness on the new electoral laws in Karonga district ahead of the 26 March by-elections.

MEC is expected to conduct by-elections in three wards in Kaporo Ward in Karonga North Constituency, Chilanga and Rukuru Ward in Karonga North-West Constituency.

The three wards became vacant upon the conviction of three councillors by the Magistrate’s Court sitting at Karonga on 1st September 2023 which automatically rendered the seats vacant.

Speaking after awareness meeting on new electoral laws at Chilanga Ward in the district, commissioner Caroline Mfune explained that the new electoral laws penalizes those aspirants found in the wrong for campaign offences.

“We are informing them that the by-elections which will be conducted we are going to use the new electoral laws. For instance, we wanted people to know that the name Electoral Commission has changed to Malawi Electoral Commission,” explained Mfune.

During the by-elections, MEC will also use the new electoral laws which were recently enacted into law, which has revised the voting time from 6am to 4pm.

“Parliament passed the Constitution Amendment Act 2023, the Electoral Commission Amendment Act 2023 as well as the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act 2023. So, these are the laws that we are using,” she added.

During the meeting, MEC engaged traditional leaders, political parties, Civil Society Oorganisations and the religious leaders, describing them as key in disseminating information about the new electoral laws.