By Alice Ndunya

Machinga, May 21, Mana: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust engaged anti-corruption champion leaders from districts in the Eastern and Southern regions on how to provide civic education on electoral laws ahead of the September 16 tripartite elections.

Speaking at the Machinga District Council on Tuesday, the two entities emphasized the importance of disseminating accurate information to discourage corruption during the electoral process. They noted that vibrant anti-corruption champions can help voters understand their rights and responsibilities in choosing responsible and development-oriented leaders.

ACB’s Director of Public Education, Agness Mweta, reminded the anti-corruption champions to understand their role in disseminating information on election-related corruption. She emphasized that they should educate voters to resist receiving handouts from politicians vying for various elective positions.

She also encouraged the champions to mobilize communities to attend political meetings held by various parties, enabling them to make informed decisions.

“It is necessary for the electorate to attend political rallies so that they should be able to make informed decisions based on aspirants’ campaign agendas. Let the electorate refrain from receiving all forms of bribery and hand-outs which might have regretable consequences,” Mweta added.

She also said there was need for the anti corruption champions to play a watchdog role in reporting all forms of electoral irregularities to ACB so that the bureau should not have problems in investigating cases relating to electoral corruption.

“As anti corruption champion leaders, always strive to encourage communities to report all forms of corrupt practices so that the law should take its course to curb the malpractice," Mweta said.

Development Network for Youth Empowerment (DENEYE) Director, Sharid Ishmael hailed ACB and NICE Trust for engaging the anti corruption champions, saying the meeting provided opportunity for public discussions on various forms of corruption in the wake of electoral processes.

“The meeting came at the right time to us the youths as Malawi is heading to the general elections. We have been enlightened on issues to do with corruption and elections, this will help us to become sensitive on issues of corruption in our areas,” he added.

Ishmael however mentioned that most anti corruption champions are often threatened in the course of being watch dogs.

“We do receive threats in our community but we do not let this disrupt our duties. We will continue to report such issues to ACB for proper interventions,” he said.

Programmes Officer for NICE Trust in Machinga, Francis Mugwa said there was need to address  challenges which most anti corruption champions face when dealing with issues of handouts during campaign period.

“The issue of handouts and corruption is common bacause it has been the norms of both the electorate and politicians. There is a need to change this norm,” he said.

Anti corruption champions leaders from youth clubs came from Machinga, Mangochi, Balaka, Zomba, Chiradzulu, Phalombe and Mulunje,