By Burnett Munthali

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) District Governor for Mulanje, Ndalimba Makuluni, has expressed concerns about low voter turnout in the upcoming 2025 general elections, attributing it to the widespread lack of national ID cards. Makuluni highlighted that many eligible voters in the district have been unable to obtain the required IDs, which are necessary for voter registration and participation in the elections.

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During a meeting organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Makuluni pointed out the significant challenges faced by residents, including the long distances they must travel to access National Registration Bureau (NRB) offices and the slow processing of IDs.

“Many people are willing to participate in the elections, but they cannot because they do not have national IDs. The process is too slow, and for many, the distance to NRB offices is just too far,” Makuluni said.

The meeting, which focused on conflict prevention and peace-building ahead of the 2025 elections, was part of a broader effort by CHRR to engage stakeholders in promoting peaceful electoral processes. CHRR Board Chairperson Benson Nkhoma emphasized the importance of maintaining peace throughout the election period and encouraged all stakeholders to prioritize the prevention and management of potential violence.

“Peaceful elections are essential for the development of our nation. We must all work together to prevent violence and ensure that the electoral process runs smoothly,” Nkhoma urged.

In response to the concerns raised, a Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) official in Mulanje, Nenani Mkuzi, assured attendees that MEC is fully prepared for the voter registration exercise, which is set to begin next week in five districts, including Mulanje. Mkuzi encouraged residents to turn up in large numbers for the registration process.

“We are ready and appeal to residents to come in large numbers. We want everyone to participate in the elections, and voter registration is the first step in ensuring that,” Mkuzi stated.

The meeting was part of CHRR’s year-long project, “Enhancing Public Participation in the 2025 General Elections,” which is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This initiative aims to address various challenges related to voter participation and electoral integrity, ensuring that citizens can engage meaningfully in the democratic process.