By Salome Gangire

Neno, June 29, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust, Civic Education Officer for Neno, Wallace Kudzala has urged the youth in the district to register, cast their vote or contest on elective positions in the 2025 general election.

He said the youth should take part in the elections by contesting at constituency level as Members of Parliament or as ward councillors apart from taking part by voting.

Kudzala made the call on Friday during a meeting with members of youth networks at NICE offices organised through Boma Lathu project aimed at raising awareness on the amended electoral laws.

“The youth form the largest majority of the population. You should therefore take part by either contesting or voting in the coming general election,” he urged the youth.

The Neno Civic Education Officer said research shows that majority of the youth fail to take up the challenges but he expressed gratitude after a young woman expressed interest to contest as a ward councillor for Chikonde ward.

Kudzala added that most of the youth complain of finances as a major limiting factor that frustrates them to contest saying campaign in Malawi calls for big finances.

The NICE Trust Civic Education Officer said the interface meeting was meant to sensitise the youth on electoral laws since there were a number of amendments that have taken place.

District Elections Officer for Neno, Nodi Mwale said a number of things have changed in the electoral process including the polling time from 6am to 6pm to 6 am to 4 pm.

He appealed to the youths to take part in the voting processes as one way of excising their rights and responsibility.

Chairperson of Mkuyu Youth Club, Mercy Donda Dube said she intends to contest a ward councillor in the September 2025 general elections because of the motivation from the interface meeting with NICE.

“I am geared to stand as a ward councillor so that I should bring development to my area,” she said, adding that NICE has encouraged the youth to be bold.

Dube said the meeting with NICE Trust have inspired the youth to take up challenges to go for bigger positions in the society.

NICE is implementing a three-year Boma Lathu Programme in Neno district to enhance people’s participation in electoral processes with support from European Union (EU).