American president Abraham Lincoln once said; “The ballot is stronger than the bullet,” and this in essence simply means that Every election is determined by the people who show up.
The September, 16 2025 General Elections is no different as everything depends on the voters turning out in large numbers for the poll.
However, it looks like, there is an immeasurable optimism in the southern tip of the country, Nsanje, as there seems to be a glimmer of hope on voters’ turnout in the hot-weathered Lower Shire district.
Nsanje District National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust office has expressed optimism about high voter turnout for the September 16 General Elections due to extensive awareness and voter civic education campaigns it has conducted in the district.
The office’s District Programme Officer Kondwani Malunga made the remarks on Tuesday after conducting a series of political debates in all the five constituencies in the district, with the latest one at Nsanje Prison Ground on the same day.
Malunga said the debates have ignited enthusiasm in the voters to cast their votes as they were able to grasp from the horses’ mouths what the aspiring candidates, especially members of parliament and councilors, will do for them.
“Apart from the voters, the debates also gave the candidates chances to unpack their manifestos and connect personally with the people they represent,” he said.
Malunga further said they have also used other channels to disseminate the awareness to the people, to compliment the debates which could not be attended by everyone.
“For example, we are using community radio stations to do panel discussions. We also have a volunteer structure with over 300 volunteers, which is also supporting the dissemination of voter and civic education in churches, weddings, and even in funerals.
“Our main message has been urging prospective voters to participate in the electoral process and maintain peace during and after the campaign period,” said Malunga.
One of the people who attended the debate at Nsanje Prison Ground, Michael Kupasa, commended NICE for the initiative, saying it will encourage people to participate in the electoral process.
Kupasa conceded that through the debates and various awareness campaigns, he has learned a lot about elections and how to cast his vote, being his first time participating in an election.
“Candidates only ask us to go and vote for them. The only time they sensitize us on how to vote is when they show us where and how to tick on their name on the ballot paper, but NICE has been taking us through the whole process.
“I believe this will also help to reduce void votes,” he said.
NICE Trust has been organizing debates and conducting awareness campaigns in various districts across the country under the Boma Lathu project with funding from the European Union (EU).
“Apart from the voters, the debates also gave the candidates chances to unpack their manifestos..”
Kondwani Malunga
Nsanje NICE District Programme Officer
