By: Yankho Maunjiri
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says all the complaints and suggestions they have received regarding constituency re-demarcation exercise from all district councils, will form part of their final meeting as a commission.
Speaking on Wednesday in Dedza district after consultative meeting, MEC Chairperson Justice Dr Chifundo Kachale said on the issue of names of constituencies and wards, they follow a procedure where they allow stakeholders to agree on a given name.
‘‘In the event that stakeholders of a particular ward or constituency are not able to agree on a common name, then the commission has a duty to suggest a name that is in line with the geographical location of the area that voters can be able to know where they are going to vote,’’ said Kachale.
On boundaries, Dr Kachale said stakeholder consultations do not suggest that the commission has given over their duty to determine the boundaries to the stakeholders.
‘‘The stakeholders have the right to express their opinions on the boundaries that we are proposing, these Include MP’s since this is a political process, it will affect the political outcome,’’ said Kachale.
In his remarks, Dedza Central East Constituency parliamentarian Joshua Malango said they welcome the re-demarcation exercise since it will assist in developing the district as a whole.
‘‘The re-demarcation exercise is welcome but we are only asking MEC to re-look into some of the issues we have raised for example there have been names which were proposed but these are not names which have been received by people on the grass root,’’ said Malango.
He said the commission has asked them to submit new names and proposals which he said they will comply saying they have trust the commission will help them as they are re-doing the map.
In Dedza, about 520 thousand people are expected to vote in 2025 general elections from ten constituencies following the constituency re-demarcation process.
People in Dedza district have been given up to 4th June to present their issues through the DC’s office.
 says all the complaints and suggestions they have received regarding constituency re-demarcation exercise from all district councils, will form part of their final…){kind=link}