By Burnett Munthali

Residents of the eastern district of Machinga have initiated protests at the local constituency office, demanding that officials expedite the voter registration process. The protests are fueled by frustrations regarding the delayed issuance of voter registration certificates, which have hindered many from participating in the upcoming elections.

Leading the protests is Phungu Wadelali, who has expressed solidarity with his community over the issues surrounding the voter registration process. “We are here to demonstrate our unity and demand that the authorities take our concerns seriously regarding the voter registration certificates,” he stated.

Among the over 200 participants in the protest, Dyson Odasi, a local leader, highlighted that the National Registration Bureau (NRB) has failed to effectively register residents in rural areas. He pointed out that the NRB has been arriving in communities with inadequate resources and damaged equipment, further complicating the registration efforts. This has resulted in many residents being unable to secure their voter registration certificates in time for the elections.

Currently, protesters have gathered outside the constituency office, lighting fires and cooking in a display of their grievances. They are calling on government officials to act swiftly to resolve the issues affecting the registration process and ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in the electoral process. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these demands and the potential impact on the upcoming elections.