By Elia Chibwe
NTCHISI-(MANA)-President Lazarus Chakwera has appealed people in Ntchisi to go for voter registration currently underway for them to exercise their voting rights in the coming general elections.
Speaking during the inspection of developments in the district on Wednesday at Khuwi Trading Centre, the president said it is only through voting that his administration can continue with developments after voting him into power during next years elections.
“Let us unite and go for registrations, no one should not register. Registering is the only way that is mandated for one to vote. If you still want better tobacco prices, and development projects to continue, make sure you register and cast a vote next year,” Chakwera said.
He said the famine currently hitting the nation has occurred due to El Niño weather conditions that hit the previous growing season, but his government is engaging the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) to distribute maize and make sure that people are rescued from hunger.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda informed people in the district that the voter registration exercise will be closed on Sunday, hence they have to be registered before it closes.
Member of Parliament for Ntchisi South, Ulemu Chilapondwa hailed government efforts in developing the country through various interventions, saying people in Ntchisi have witnessed good tobacco prices at the market but due to climate change challenges, people had poor harvests.
However, Chilapondwa urged government to assist people in the district with National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) programme, and added that the number of Affordable Input Program (AIP) beneficiaries should be increased so that next year there should be food security in the district.
Meanwhile, Traditional Authority(T/A) Kalumo said chiefs in Ntchisi including his area are making sure that people are going for voter registration for them to vote next year.
