The National Elections system Trust has hailed the decision by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) not to use teachers as presiding officers in the upcoming fresh presidential elections.

On April 1 MEC through its chief elections officer Sam Alfandika announced that the commission will this year call for applications from people to work as presiding officers in the elections.

Alfandika noted that the commission was not satisfied with the performance of teachers in the previous tripartite elections.

In commenting on MEC’s decision, National Elections Systems Trust-NEST Executive Director-Unandi Banda has welcomed the decision saying the move means the commission is looking for competent people.

According to MEC’s calendar voter registrations starts on 4th April, although reports say the electoral body is stricly following patterns of the spreading coronavirus.