Malawi: Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba has asked the people in Dowa to register for the 2025 tripartite elections. The voter registration has started with thee stakeholders urging eligible people to register in large numbers.
They believe that this is the only way the people will be able to exercise their right of electing their preferred leaders.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet made the remarks in an interview on Saturday. At the time, The Malawi Elections Commission (MEC) has started the official voter registration exercise in Dowa.
Zamba, speaking in an interview after registering at St Mathias center in Dowa South East constituency in Traditional Authority Nkukula, said it is the right for all to vote, but people must register first.
“I always register for elections, no matter where I am, I find time to come here to my village and register because it gives me an opportunity to participate in the elections and choose the leaders of my choice.
“I am urging all constituents here and Dowa at large, to go and register. Some of you do not have National Identity (IDs) cards, but that is not an issue. Some printed cards have already been snet to the registration centers, but there are also National Registration Bureau (NRB) officials in registration centers who will help you with the IDs,”
According to the media reports from MNA most registration centers were open as early as 8 am.
Ngoloni Zamutu, of Sangu village in Traditional Authority Chiwere, who was one of the first people to register at Kanyenje registration center in Dowa East constituency, said he decided to turn up for the exercise because it was his duty to take part in the electoral process.
He added saying he was impressed with the setup at the center which he said included presence of party monitors, security, and sign posts to authenticate the venue.
Matlida Faisoni in her remarks said she found the process overall convenient.
“Some people think it is time consuming, but I have only been here for around 20 minutes and my registration was done. So people must go because it is not a complicated process,” she said.
District Elections Officer for Dowa Luciano Tiferankhani said the voter registration has started on a good note. Despite fuel challenges, he said deployment was done by Friday midnight.