By Burnett Munthali
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is set to conduct a supplementary voter registration exercise in Mulanje, targeting 14,100 new voters ahead of the 2025 elections. The registration process is scheduled to take place on February 2 and 3, 2025.
According to the district’s Assistant Elections Officer, Nenani Mkuzi, MEC is fully prepared for the two-day exercise, which is expected to be conducted smoothly across selected centres in the district. Speaking to Nation Online, Mkuzi confirmed that all necessary materials for the registration have been received, and logistical arrangements, including staff deployment, are in place.
“We have received all materials required for the exercise, and our staff deployment to the field starts tomorrow. Our civic education department has also started a loud-hailing exercise today (Thursday), which will run until Monday to ensure that eligible voters are well-informed,” he said.
The exercise specifically targets individuals who completed their civil registration between October 21, 2024, and January 24, 2025, as per a court order. It also includes those who are 18 years old or will reach the voting age by September 16, 2025.
Mkuzi further clarified that not all registration centres in the district will be used for this exercise. “We will use 57 out of the 163 registration centres in Mulanje, so people should check and visit the designated centres to ensure they are registered,” he explained.
In support of the registration exercise, the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has already deployed its officers to mobilize eligible citizens. NICE District Programmes Officer Sylvester Khoromana confirmed that their teams are on the ground conducting awareness campaigns to encourage people to register and participate in the electoral process.
This supplementary registration is part of MEC’s broader efforts to ensure that all eligible Malawians have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming general elections. Stakeholders, including MEC and NICE, continue to urge citizens to take advantage of the process to secure their voter registration in time.
With elections fast approaching, voter registration remains a critical component of democratic participation, and authorities are working to ensure the process is as accessible and efficient as possible. The success of this exercise will depend on the response of the targeted population and the effectiveness of ongoing mobilization efforts in Mulanje.
