By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, May 8, Mana: District Commissioner for Kasungu, James Kanyangalazi has appealed to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to deploy civic and voter educators in good time considering that there are new electoral laws in place.

Speaking Tuesday in Kasungu at the end of a MEC’s two-day stakeholders engagement, Kanyangalazi said since there has been enactment of new legislation for elections, it is imperative that there should be thorough civic education for the electorate.

“We know that many things have changed in the management of elections. For example, constituency and ward boundaries have changed in some areas.

“Likewise, there are also changes in some of the laws governing the elections. All this require that civic educators be deployed in good time so that there is proper awareness,” he said.

Kanyangalazi said the district team is ready and willing to support the electoral process in order to help the commission deliver credible elections.

MEC Commissioner Olivia Liwewe said the engagement was a platform for the electoral body to interact with stakeholders so that they also prepare for the polls.

“We were here to interact with chiefs, political leaders through the Multiparty Liaison Committee, civil society, the media and other stakeholders on the forthcoming elections.

“We have given out the elections calendar and also highlighted critical issues in the laws that have changed so that we walk together knowing how the elections will be conducted,” she said.

Liwewe, who chairs the commission’s electoral services committee, said it is important to involve stakeholders so that they know how the electoral body has prepared for the general elections.

In an interview, Senior Chief Simlemba thanked MEC for the engagement saying such activities enhance the transparency of the electoral process.

Some of the crucial electoral laws that have changed are the adjustment of the time to close polling centres from 6pm to 4pm, outlawing of handouts and criminalisation of podium insults of other political players.

At least 10.5 million Malawians will be heading to the seventh democratic general elections on 16 September, 2025 to elect president, members of parliament and councillors.