Poly goes to polls

News   Hazviperi Mbizi   July 18, 2019
PIC: Some of the campaign posters
Students from The Malawi Polytechnic will on Friday, July 19 go to polls to select new office bearers of the Polytechnic Student Union (PSU) at the Main Lecture Theatre from 6am to 6pm.

According to the Chairperson of the Polytechnic Electoral Commission, a fifth year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering  ,Sekani Sidira, the criteria for participants was the average academic grade of a minimum of 55% for the representatives like the Mature, Ladies and UMSU.  While the ones vying for the executive positions are expected to have attained a minimum grade of 60% as per student union constitution.

“We launched the campaign period on Friday, 12th July which is expected to close after 7 days on 18th July midnight,” she explained.

Sidira further explained that the commission organized functions like introductions, policy speeches and debates for the presidents and the vice presidents aspirants.

“In order to ensure that the elections are credible and transparent, we have engaged the anonymous monitors who will be known on the voting day to avoid any interferences. We are also working hand in hand with the Catholic Commission For Justice and Peace (CCJP) Poly chapter and religious monitors in order to have free and fair elections. In addition, this year’s election are different because we have unique ballot papers which have unique features that can not be copied easily.”  Sidira explained.

The Polytechnic Electoral Commission consists of nine members who have been working hand in hand with the administration in organizing the polls.

Candidates have been seen distributing sweets and other things in order to woe their friends vote for them in the coming elections.

Posters have been seen around the campus notice boards in order to attract voters.

Poll results are expected to be announced in the early hours of Saturday 20th July, at the campus hostels Tijede.

 


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