Maravi

Saki blames low turnout on advocates of transparency

Saki blames low turnout on advocates of transparency
Written by Mutale Kapekele and Constance Matongo in Livingstone and Lambwe Kachali in Choma

UNITED Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota has charged that the people who were “making noise” about transparency are to blame for the low voter turnout in yesterday’s presidential election. And Heritage Party did not have any polling agents in most polling stations in Choma.

In an interview after he cast his vote at Nalituwe Basic School, Sikota also said the low turnout of voters was a clear testimony that yesterday’s presidential elections were unnecessary.

Voting in Livingstone started on a slow note with most polling stations deserted.

By 12:00 hours, about 3,500 people had voted from several polling stations around the town centre and the compounds.

An on-the-spot check at Libala polling station in Mosi-o-Tunya ward of Ellein Britell revealed that people had lined up as early as 05:00 hours and that only 800 of the 2,156 registered voters had voted.

Returning officer Paul Sichikwenkwe said the process was peaceful and problem free.

At Dambwa Central polling station, only 381 of the 1,654 registered voters had voted by 09:00 hours.

Returning officer Lewis Choongo told The Post that the voting had started off well but slowed down after 08:00 hours.

In Dambwa North, three polling stations, Makelelo, Mujala and Dambwa community centre only recorded votes from 1,013 of the 2,763 registered voters by 12:00 hours.

At Mukamusaba polling station, which is at Livingstone International Airport, 200 people had voted by 07:30 hours.

Returning officer Yoram Mumbi said the numbers looked promising when voting started but “things slowed down after 07:00 hours.”

At Nalituwe polling station, returning officer Vincent Mwanza disclosed that 182 of 499 registered voters had cast their votes by 11:00 hours.

The pattern was not different in Maramba South and Natebe polling stations.

A check at all the polling stations in Choma Central, revealed that Heritage Party presidential candidate Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda was not represented by any polling agents.

Only Patriotic Front (PF) presidential candidate Michael Sata, UPND candidate Hakainde Hichilema and MMD’s Rupiah Banda sent their polling agents in all the polling stations.

Choma residents flocked in large numbers to cast their vote for the next president.

A few individuals who had the desire to make money opened their shops after casting their vote.

Polling stations in the district opened as early as 06:00 hours and queues were seen stretching as people cast their vote.

As at 10:00 hours, 322 people out of 992 registered voters had voted at Njase Girls Secondary School polling station.

At Chandamali polling station, 200 out of 913 registered voters had cast their votes, while at Adastra Basic School polling station 450 out of 1, 613 registered voters cast their votes.

St Patrick’s Basic School polling station recorded 217 voted out of 685 registered voters.

Choma Basic School polling station had 358 people that had voted out of 1, 263 registered voters.

At Timber Yard polling station 325 voted out of 987 registered voters, while Mwapona polling station had 400 people that cast their votes out of 1, 200 registered voters.

In an interview, Banda, who is also Choma district electoral officer, described the voter turnout as impressive and hoped that all eligible voters would be able to vote before 18:00 hours, the closing time.

Banda also commended the political parties for their peaceful attitude during the campaign period in the area.

“Choma central has almost 40, 000 voters while, the entire district has over 80,000 registered voters. But most importantly, I am very happy with the voter turnout. So far all polling stations that I have sampled, there was no apathy. And I hope everyone will vote before 18:00 hours,” said Banda.

And Choma town clerk Golden Banda expressed happiness at the voter turnout in yesterday’s presidential election.

Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe was seen visiting various polling stations seeking to know the number of people that had voted.

Munkombwe, who voted from Timber Yard polling station was seen at St Patrick’s Basic School asking polling assistants how many people had voted at the station so far.

He also complained over the behaviour of some polling assistants in other polling stations.

“I have visited almost all the polling stations, and you know, I have the authority to ask and know how many people have voted. So, how many people have voted here so far?” asked Munkombwe. “I think here, you are able to attend to the voters promptly, unlike in other polling stations.”

However, the polling assistant who visibly looked uncomfortable with Munkombwe’s presence responded affirmatively that the turnout was good and then Munkombwe drove off.

Labels: ELECTIONS, SAKWIBA SIKOTA

posted by MrK @ 3:38 PM