By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, October 21, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Public Trust Programmes Officer for Kasungu, Pilirani Chaguza has appealed to youths in the district to register in large numbers so that they vote in the next year’s general elections slated for September 16, 2025.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has started the first of the three-phased voter registration and in Kasungu; the exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 9 to 22 November.

Speaking Sunday during an awareness and sensitization rally at Kamphungu in Kasungu West Constituency, Chaguza said the forthcoming elections are a chance the youths must utilise this exercise to shape the future they desire to have.

“Voting is one of the rare moments that guarantee citizen participation in shaping the democratic destiny of a nation. This is your chance as youth to take part in making a very important decision for your country.

“Remember that the more people participate in elections, the stronger the mandate that is given to those elected as leaders, and the more confidence and trust given to them and the systems they operate under. So we must register and vote,” Chaguza said.

He said the new electoral laws demand that a person must register with the National Registration Bureau to qualify as a voter hence asked the youths to make sure they register for citizen identification.

Chaguza also sounded a warning against the perpetuation of violence, calling for peace and tolerance in all the stages of the elections.

“We must refrain from being used as agents of violence. Youths must be champions of peace,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Group Village Head Serenje encouraged women and girls to go beyond mere voting, urging them to contest as candidates so that they acquire leadership positions.

“For girls and women, your participation in elections must not be limited to voting. This is our opportunity to also contest as candidates,” he said.

Serenje said traditional leaders have a big role in ensuring that there is peace in the electoral process hence asked his fellow chiefs to champion political tolerance.

MEC is conducting voter registration in three phases from 21 October to 11 December this year and NICE is mobilising people for the exercise.