DPP District Governor Raises Concerns Over Low Voter Participation Due to Lack of National IDs

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.

• Mathanga Dismisses Kabambe Political Talks Claims
  Share Listen to this article By Our Reporter Energy Minister Jean Mathanga has dismissed social media claims that he held political discussions with UTM president Dalitso Kabambe during a funeral they both attended on Tuesday. In a statement, Mathanga said he attended the funeral solely to console the bereaved family, noting that the deceased had… Read more: Mathanga Dismisses Kabambe Political Talks Claims
• Namadingo Joins Gift of the Givers to Support Malawians Returning from South Africa
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera Renowned Malawian musician Patience Namadingo has teamed up with humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers to provide relief and hope to Malawians returning home from South Africa following recent challenges that have forced many to leave the country. The award-winning singer announced the partnership after recently visiting… Read more: Namadingo Joins Gift of the Givers to Support Malawians Returning from South Africa
• Calls Grow for Court Intervention and Interim Leadership Ahead of MAM Elections
  Share Listen to this article By Staff Reporter A fresh call has been made for the suspension of the ongoing Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) electoral process, with governance concerns taking centre stage ahead of the association’s elections. In a public statement, Imran Jumbe urged candidates who have allegedly been barred from participating in the… Read more: Calls Grow for Court Intervention and Interim Leadership Ahead of MAM Elections
• Malawian Linda Kachingwe-Sisya Appointed FNB South Africa Chief Marketing Officer
  Share Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera Malawian marketing executive Linda Kachingwe-Sisya has reached another significant career milestone after being appointed Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for First National Bank (FNB) South Africa, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions. Her appointment places a Malawian at the helm of one of the continent’s most influential banking… Read more: Malawian Linda Kachingwe-Sisya Appointed FNB South Africa Chief Marketing Officer
• Court Order Seals MEC Warehouse
  Share Listen to this article Court Order Seals MEC Warehouse in Lease Dispute as Commission Moves to Resolve Standoff A court order has sealed one of the Malawi Electoral Commission’s warehouses at Njewa in Lilongwe over a lease dispute, as MEC says it is working with government and the landlord to resolve the matter.High Court… Read more: Court Order Seals MEC Warehouse

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.