The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) abandoned the voter verification exercise after registering challenges on the first day in most parts of the country.

The exercise, which had started yesterday, had been marred by inconsistencies as the particulars of some people in most constituencies were missing.

In a statement, MEC says the suspension is due to logistical challenges and inadequacies in the preliminary voters’ roll.

It says this means all centres that had been opened will be closed and that the Commission will soon announce when the exercise will resume.

The Commission is assuring all stakeholders of its highest commitment to holding a credible Tripartite Election on 20th May 2014.