By Beni Bamusi

Thyolo, May 15, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust in Thyolo has urged registered voters to verify their names in the second phase of the voter inspection and verification exercise, scheduled for May 21 to May 23 in the district’s centers.

NICE Trust, Programmes Officer for Thyolo, Moses Kaunda said voter inspection and verification offers opportunity for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to correct any errors in the voter’s register and for individuals to confirm their registration in the register.

“Voter inspection and verification is a crucial element of electoral governance that promotes transparency and accountability. People should not take it lightly,

“They must visit their voter registration centers to verify their details,” said Kaunda.

NICE will carry out a series of rallies, announcements, and road shows to raise public awareness on the importance of voter inspection and verification.

“It is important to check whether a registered voter’s name is correctly captured. If errors are found on the voting day, it will be difficult to correct them,” he added.

Kaunda said NICE Trust has sent letters to religious leaders for them to encourage their registered members to visit centers to verify their names, saying failure to do so could affect voting on the polling day.

A business person at Thyolo Boma market, James Kapenga said NICE Trust’s appeal for verification of voters details was necessary and timely.

“I urge fellow business owners, vendors, and community members that registered in the voters roll to take heed of what NICE Trust is saying. There is need to take part in the verification exercise.

“This is the only way to be sure if one’s name is correctly recorded in the voter’s register for September 16 general election,” added Kapenga.

Registered voters can also verify their details using the USSD code *2509# by entering their voter registration number or National ID number starting with the letter 'G'.