By-elections in vacant wards await approval of next budget

Malawi Electoral Commission MEC says it will conduct by-elections for councilors in four wards that are vacant after the approval of the 2015-2016 budget.
MEC Public Relations Officer, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, said this in an interview with Radio Islam after noting that some wards have been vacant since last year.
Mwafulirwa said that the delay is due to lack of funding.
“Malawi Electoral Commission has submitted a budget to the Treasury for by-elections in four Local Government Wards which fell vacant due to the demise of office holders,” disclosed Mwafulirwa.
The four wards are Luchenza in Thyolo which fell vacant due to the death of Councillor Davie Baleti of the Democratic Progressive Party-DPP on 12th February and Khwawa in Karonga due to the death of Viyezgo Wilson Nyirenda of Peoples Party-PP.
Others are Chibanja Ward in Mzuzu which lost Councilor Charles Nyirongo of PP and Zomba Central ward which was being represented by late Mayor of the Zomba City Joan Mtaja of the DPP.
Mwafulirwa reminded the citizenry that by-elections are supposed to be conducted within 60 days after the office falls vacant.