Police in Balaka have arrested Harry Yohane for illegally registering as a voter using his father’s National Identity card. The incident occurred on Monday at Namingalala Primary School registration centre, in Shire Ward under Mulunguzi Constituency.

According to Balaka Police Station Officer In-Charge Dan Saunten, the suspect was caught after successfully completing the voter registration process using his father’s ID. Yohane had accompanied his father, Hassan Matiki, 57, and younger brother, M’bwana Matiki, 19, to the registration centre.

After his father registered, Yohane took his father’s ID under the pretense of keeping it safe and proceeded to the registration desk to register himself fraudulently.

The scheme was uncovered when the registration officer noticed a discrepancy between Yohane’s age and the one listed on the slip. Upon questioning, Yohane admitted to using his father’s ID without his knowledge. He has since been taken into custody at Balaka Police Station pending further investigation.

In a related development, police in Balaka arrested two other individuals, Ida Banda, 21, and Chimwemwe Rathael, 22, on Tuesday for similar voter registration offenses. The suspects admitted to using their family members’ IDs, believing that the registration was for lean-season maize distribution, not voting.

Both cases are under investigation at Balaka Police Station. Authorities are reminding the public to adhere to proper procedures and avoid fraudulent activities during the voter registration process.

MANA