NICE INTENSIFIES MOBILISATION FOR MARCH 17 BY-ELECTIONS
NICE has intensified efforts in awareness raising and mobilising people for the forthcoming by-elections. The Trust aims to ensure that communities receive adequate civic education to promote informed and active participation in the electoral process and encourage them to participate peacefully and responsibly.
As part of the programme, NICE Trust has conducted community meetings in all the areas where by-elections will take place. Among other strategies used are radio phone-in programmes on community and mainstream radios, NICE training sessions for station observers. These have beed equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to observe the electoral process effectively and the importance of maintaining neutrality during the election among others.
To further strengthen voter awareness, NICE conducted political debates to give chance to aspirants to present their manifestos and engage the voters directly. These sessions are designed to promote informed decision-making among voters and encourage active participation in the democratic process.
Another key activity has been loud hailing campaigns where civic educators move through communities using public address systems to share important information about the by-elections. The approach has helped to reach residents who may have limited access to other sources of information. The Trust uses football bonanzas, night criers, traditional leaders meetings and other strategies to mobilise and raise awareness to Malawians on a number of issues.
Malawi Electoral Commissions will conduct by-elections in the following electoral areas :Parliamentary, the by-elections will take place in the following constituencies Nkhotakota Liwaladzi,Dedza Mtakataka.Blantyre West ,Rumphi Central.For Local Government, the by-elections will be held in: Ighembe Ward, in Karonga Songwe constituency,Luwinga Ward, in Mzuzu City North constituency, Linthembwe Ward in Dowa Ngala constituency, Chilobwe Ward in Lilongwe Chilobwe constituency, Msitu Ward in Mchinji South constituency, Mikongo Ward in Mangochi North East constituency,Chanda Ward in Zomba Chikomwe constituency, Chirunga Ward in Zomba City North constituency and Muonekera Ward in Thyolo Goliati constituency.