Dowa NICE Trust Continues Civic Education on Voter Registration

Alinafe Chikakuda, District Programs Officer (DPO) for the Dowa NICE Trust office, stated that her office is actively providing civic education on the voter registration exercise, especially with the registration period scheduled to run in the district from 9th to 22nd November 2024.

Chikakuda emphasized that her office aims to ensure eligible voters in Dowa register, as participating in elections is a civic duty that enables citizens to choose leaders who will drive local and national development. She highlighted that voting empowers individuals to elect, retain, or remove leaders by making informed choices based on candidates’ manifestos, with voter registration being the first step in fulfilling this democratic responsibility.

In an interview about NICE’s preparations for the voter registration exercise, Chikakuda revealed that the organization has been preparing for some time by providing civic education focused on democracy, particularly the right to vote. She described democracy as a form of representative leadership, allowing citizens to elect accountable and transparent leaders every five years. If the electorate is dissatisfied, they have the option to vote for new representatives.

The NICE office is also informing communities near registration centers about electoral laws, particularly regarding offenses and penalties that could arise during the registration process. Furthermore, the DPO underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence and explained the recent changes in ward and constituency boundaries, ensuring that residents know precisely where to register and vote.

“Ward and constituency demarcations occur every ten years. Previously, Dowa had seven constituencies, but with three new constituencies added, the district now has ten, each with new boundaries,” Chikakuda noted.

She added that the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has accredited NICE Trust and the Kasalika Community Development Organization to provide civic and voter education across Dowa’s ten constituencies.

Chikakuda expressed optimism that the two organizations will collaborate to encourage widespread voter registration in preparation for the General Elections on 16th September 2025.