Malawians have warned that they will shun 2019 tripartite elections if electoral laws will not be amended to allow the use of 50+1 percent system in the elections.
Malawi24 conducted a snap survey in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe where residents said it is meaningless to go and vote then see one declared a winner with less than 50 per cent of votes.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi24, one resident Margret Banda said the electoral reforms bills should be a priority if the country is to really embrace true democracy.
“How could you expect one to lead the country when the majority haven’t voted for him or her. No one can claim to be loved by voters by less than half of the voters. All stakeholders should discuss amicably and approve the electoral reforms ahead of 2019 tripartite elections.
“See how our fellow African country, Liberia did recently. The presidential candidates failed to reach half of votes and the elections are slated to be re-run until one manages to have 50+1 votes,” she said.
She stressed that it is good to shun the 2019 elections if the electoral reforms will not be accepted than voting and then having a president who will not be liked by many Malawians.
Another Lilongwe resident, Maxwell Kalinga also said if the August house won’t discuss the electoral reforms bills, they must expect low turnout of voters in 2019.
Kalinga told Malawi24 that if the reforms won’t be allowed it will mean that the government doesn’t take into consideration needs of Malawians.
“We need the reforms to be sure that we have a president who will be voted by many people. You can’t be called a president with 40 percent votes leaving out 60 percent. This is unjustifiable and we will not vote if the authorities will be adamant to their wishes,” Kalinga told Malawi24.
Recently, Public Affairs Committee (PAC) threatened to stage peaceful demonstrations if the electoral reforms bills won’t be discussed before 29th November, 2017.
72 thoughts on “Neglecting electoral reforms will trigger voter apathy – Malawians”
Comments are closed.
Osafuna akhale,aduwe kkkkkkkk
Nde speaker wati yayi tu nde mutani life ife mbuli zozindilira kusiyana ndinu mbuli zophunziranu
first question..are we financially capable of having an election to re run an election? am asking because of the way the 2014 elections were like after 5 years of preparation. Secondly, Sometimes We as Malawians have a dificulty in understanding things, will a Villager understand 50+1, ngati ena zimakanika kumvetsa unzika omwe. To say the truth Malawi leaders are chosen by people in the villages, inu a mmatauni you are just good at criticisizing and you dont go and vote. a question for you..kodi mungakhale 4 hours muli pa nzere waiting to cast your vote, kapena mukhoza kupita kosaka la mchere?
Zachani zimenezo zopanda nchito izo.2019 Everyone should /must vote DPP base tu
I have already made my mind and my vote goes #BLUE always!
za ziii izi.nthawiso yatha.musawononge ndalama.bill yanuyo idzayambe 2024.kuti muwonetsetse amene mayiko akugwilitsa njilayi muli nkhondo.
zisilu muzasova 2019
A Malawi ake ati…mutanamepo apa…a Malawi ngokomedwa moti 2019 tidzavota ma electoral reforms palibe…Tulo..ife sitidzatheka.
Changing laws with a target in mind is counterproductive! I have read comments, showing many readers have DPP in mind. I beg them to sit down and think with a sober mind. Digging a pit for themselves. There is no way, no way 50+1, or 50+x may change the results. Where did that happen in the history of democracy? A winner will remain winner. Umilirira mtunda wopanda Madzi.
If Dpp knows that people of Malawi loves the party, why are they taking forever to accept, why are they scared? I see that they can’t even trust themselves.
Which Malawians have yu consulted? dont lie here,we support electoral reform but we hate the lie created by individuals
Zopanda ntchito izi …….ife tikavota ….inu ndi a PAC anuwo zakhaleni
These PAC guys just want to use Malawians to achieve their own interests. Malawians are now clever these days you can’t fool them. You make your noise when you finish, you will let us know.
Ithink you’re the mathematician. I love your calculus