LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The nation’s electoral governing physique Chisankho Watch has expressed worrisome over using social safety programmes to coerce voters to register for 2025 General elections.

The consortium of 4 organisations, particularly the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), the Gender Justice Unit, and the Meeting Hub (mHub) observes that the observe is a recipe for corruption in electoral course of.

Addressing the information convention on Friday, November 29, 2024, Chisankho Watch Board Chairperson Bishop Gilford Matonga noticed that handouts “Undermine the integrity of the electoral course of and represent voter bribery which is an offence underneath Section 41 of the Political Parties Act (2018).

Bishop Matonga disclosed that the malpractice occurred within the central area had been coaxed to register as a result of maize distribution was used as a situation.

Bishop Matonga stated the incidences had been recorded in Salima, Ntchisi, and Nkhotakota.

“Chisankho Watch also recorded the provision of cash handouts amounting to MK1,000 to each registrant in Mchinji South West Constituency and Nkhatabay Central Constituency. This practice undermines integrity of electoral process,” anxious Matonga.

He due to this fact appealed to Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, “To strengthen enforcement mechanisms to handle voter bribery and undue coercion as outlined in Section 41 of the Political Parties Act (2018).

“Enforce penalties for parties found to be spreading disinformation in line with the political Parties Act (2018)”.

The consortium due to this fact concluded that the second part of the voter registration train from November 9 to 22, 2024 was improved in voters schooling regardless of low turnout of residents to register.

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