The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) says it is alarmed by recent reports about the sale, exchange, and unlawful snatching of voter registration certificates across Malawi.
After the completion of the voter registration exercise, which was conducted in three phases, the country is said to have witnessed disturbing incidents, where individuals are exchanging their voter registration certificates for goods such as soya pieces, soap, and sugar, while others are forcibly taking these essential documents from registrants.
In a statement, NICE Executive Director Grey Kalindekafe says his organisation condemns in strongest terms these barbaric acts, which threatens the credibility and integrity of the forthcoming general elections.
Says Kalindekafe: “We unequivocally condemn these practices as they undermine the very foundation of our democracy and threaten the integrity of the upcoming 2025 elections.”
“NICE Makes a strong appeal to all citizens and voters that the voter registration certificate must be kept safely, and no one should surrender it to party, traditional or faith leaders.”
Kalindekafe, therefore, appeals to all people who registered in the voter registration exercise recently, to keep their voter registration certificates in a very secure and safe place saying the whole idea of registering is to use the voter registration certificate to exercise one’s right and civic duty to choose leaders in the upcoming General Election on 16th September in 2025.
“We also appeal to all Malawians who registered for next year’s general elections to make sure they turn up to use the voter registration certificate on polling day next year,” explains Kalindekafe.
He adds: “Should people have evidence that someone is selling or buying or snatching voter certificates, they should report this to the nearest police station or unit nearest.”
NICE has appealed to police and all law enforcing agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and arrest all the culprits and bring them before a court of law without any political bias.
“Whoever is involved in this malpractice should face the long arm of the law regardless of their status in society. We call upon all Malawians to uphold the sanctity of our democratic processes by protecting their voter registration certificates,” further states Kalindekafe in the statement.
Kalindekafe encourages the citizens to join hands and work together to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their right to vote freely and fairly in the upcoming elections.
Kalindekafe urges Malawians to safeguard the country’s electoral integrity in order to ensure a fair democratic process and urged all government bodies, political parties, civil society organizations, and citizens—to take immediate action such as public awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens about the importance of safeguarding their voter registration certificates and the legal ramifications of engaging in corrupt practices.
Kalindekafe further asks the government to strengthen legal frameworks and enhance penalties for those found guilty of selling or unlawfully obtaining voter registration certificates to deter such behaviour.
States Kalindekafe: “The integrity of the 2025 elections is jeopardized when a considerable number of voters cannot participate due to these malpractices. This could lead to an election outcome that fails to reflect the true preferences and voice of the electorate.”
Kalindekafe says normalising such corrupt practices could set a dangerous precedent for future elections, further entrenching a culture of impunity and fraud within our political system.
“We unequivocally condemn these practices.”
Grey Kalindekafe
NICE Executive Director
