Commissioner for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Harry Kanjewe says he is optimistic about voter registration turnout for the Zomba By-election, despite low numbers so far.
He says low turnout is understandable since only new voters and those who missed the previous registration are eligible, and there is no double registration ahead of the 17th March local government By-election in the district.
Speaking after visiting centres in Chirunga ward in Zomba City North Constituency and Chanda ward in Zomba Chikomwe constituency, Kanjewe said the low turnout is not a serious worrisome development since the registration in the mentioned wards only targeted those who have reached the voting age and that those who registered during the 16th September elections will still vote.
Kanjewe said visiting registration centres has been a good experience through which MEC will continue with its mobilisation initiative to woo eligible persons to register and exercise their right to vote next month.
“Most of the people have already registered in the 2025 general elections and we are not accepting double registration, we are sure that those who are eligible to register will come and register, we are hoping to be better” he said.
During the visit at chancellor college and Chikamveka registration centres in Chirunga ward and Chili CBCC and St Martin’s registration centres in Chanda ward of Zomba Chikomwe constituency, the maximum number of registered voters was four since its opening on 31 January 2026.
Registration centre supervisors in all four visited centres said there are no technical challenges since registration was opened, citing the only low turnout of registrants.
Local government elections in Chirunga ward were cancelled following the death of Liberation for Economic Freedom shadow councillor Abraham Nyondo a few days before elections while elections in Chanda ward will be held following the court ruling for a fresh election.
MEC will hold By-elections in several wards and constituencies in the country on 17 March 2026, the collection of nomination papers, payment of nomination fees, and a 60-day campaign period were opened on 15 January and registration of voters which began on 31st January and will end on 06 February are concurrently underway.
