A governance expert has expressed concern over a possible rise in null and void votes, electoral violence, and voter apathy in the upcoming September elections, citing limited civic and voter education activities on the ground due to funding shortfalls.

George Chaima stressed that every election presents unique challenges that require targeted education and awareness campaigns to ensure smooth and credible voting. He warned that without adequate voter education, the country risks high levels of misinformation and disengagement.

“As a country, we hold elections every five years, which means we constantly have new voters. It’s important to provide civic education to avoid costly mistakes caused by ignorance,” Chaima emphasized.

Echoing his sentiments, Christopher Naphiyo, Programs Officer at NICE Trust, acknowledged the limited timeframe but urged all stakeholders to seize every opportunity available to reach out to voters.

“We have only about two months to the polls. What has been done is done; now we must focus on doing everything possible to ensure people are sensitized on the electoral process so we can have better, more credible elections,” Naphiyo said.

Bishop Mary Nkosi, Chairperson of the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission, also supported the call, appealing to well-funded NGOs to maximize their efforts.

“If only 6 out of the 116 accredited NGOs have resources for civic and voter education, then those few must ensure they use their resources wisely to reach as many people as possible,” she urged.

Nkosi further highlighted the need to reinforce peace and unity during this election period, stating that a peaceful environment is essential for credible polls.

(Written By: Winnie Luwembe)