By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, May 20, Mana: The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is fully prepared to commence the inspection and verification of voters’ register exercise in Mchinji, which is scheduled from May 21 to 23, 2025.

MEC’s District Elections Officer for Mchinji, Samson Ng’anjo, confirmed that all logistics have been finalized, with officers and equipment already deployed to designated centres across the district.

“Everything is set. We have deployed our officers and equipment to all verification centres in the district. We are ready to begin the exercise as planned this Wednesday,” said Ng’anjo.

The exercise allows registered voters to verify their details ahead of the upcoming 2025 elections and to make corrections or updates where necessary.

However, the timing has coincided with the administration of national examinations, the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) by the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB).

Addressing concerns of potential disruption, both MEC and education authorities have assured the public that measures have been put in place to ensure smooth and uninterrupted execution of both critical national activities.

District Education Manager (DEYS) for Mchinji, Joyce Hamsini, said schools serving as venues for both exams and voter verification have been instructed to carefully separate the two activities.

“We have directed head teachers to ensure that candidates sitting for exams are not disturbed by those coming to verify their voter details. Verification and examination activities will be done in separate and properly arranged spaces to avoid interference,” said Hamsini.

District Commissioner for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, also reaffirmed the district’s preparedness, stating that the District Elections Supervisory Team (DEST) is on the ground and fully equipped to monitor the exercise.

“The DEST is ready. We will monitor the exercise as a team to ensure the exercise is conducted smoothly across the three days,” said Chidalengwa.

Phase two of the inspection and verification of the voters’ register is taking place in other districts of Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Likoma, Kasungu, Kasungu Municipality, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntcheu, Zomba, Zomba City, Thyolo, and Luchenza.