By Nation Online

Copyright mwnation

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has bemoaned the culture of handouts that allegedly prevailed in Nkhotakota District during the September 16 General Election.

In an interview on Wednesday, Nice Trust Nkhotakota programmes officer Hellina Mwimba said the handouts might have affected voter turnout in the district.

Malawi Electoral Commission data show that Nkhotakota registered 172 305 voters, but 123 000 cast their ballots, representing 71 percent turnout.

Mwimba noted that handouts may have affected the turnout because during the campaign period, those who did not receive handouts indicated that they would not vote.

“We ran a good civic education and awareness campaign, but some people were saying they would not vote if candidates did not give them money,” she said.

However, Mwimba described as unfortunate allegations that some candidates were flashing out money during campaign.

“Otherwise, all went well as people went to polling centres early as 5am and we deployed over 160 observers to all 160 polling centres,” she said.

On his part, Nkhotakota District Civil Society Organisations Network chairperson Dan Nthara also said that handouts might have discouraged others from voting.

“Due to the current economic situation, some people’s minds were on handouts, as such, when they did not receive any, they got frustrated and said they would not vote,” he said.

However, Nthara highlighted the significance of pumping in more resources in civic education, which could help people to understand the importance of voting and not asking for handouts in exchange for votes.

Nkhotakota district commissioner Ben Tonho described the voting process as transparent.

“There were few challenges, but were rectified in good time,” he said.

Earlier this week, Registrar of Political Parties told The nation that his office received 162 complaints relating to handouts, including 36 filed after the close of the campaign period