By Benedicto Maguda

Blantyre, November 20, Mana: Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has appealed to electoral stakeholders in Malawi to take active role in encouraging eligible voters to get registered in the current voter registration in readiness for the 2025 General Election.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) currently is in phase 2 of the voter registration in preparation for 2025 polls when registered voters will elect president, members of parliament and ward councilors.

Spokesperson for Public Affairs Committee, Bishop Gifford Matonga told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that many stakeholders are not doing enough to mobilize people on voter registration.

“There are a number of factors that are causing such low turnout in most registration centers; this is so because stakeholders are not doing well in voter civic education and mobilization. People are supposed to be well educated on issues to do with voter registration,” he said.

Matonga therefore asked church leaders, chiefs, non-governmental organizations, and all stakeholders to take part in encouraging people to go and register for 2025 elections.

In a separate interview, Councilor for Chisenjere Ward in Zomba, Gift Chilipa said it is true that people are not coming out for registration as compared to the last general elections.

“Despite MEC and NICE doing awareness, people are not coming in large numbers. This is worrisome but we are trying our best to deliver the messages about the importance of voter registration in places such as churches and mosques,” added Chilipa.

Second round of voters’ registration is underway in Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Likoma, Kasungu, Kasungu Municipality, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntcheu, Zomba, Zomba City, Blantyre, Blantyre City and Thyolo.