Nice engages party leaders on new electoral laws
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has engaged religious and political party leaders in Karonga District on the new electoral laws and 2025 electoral calendar.
In an interview on Wednesday, Nice Karonga District public programmes officer Mabvuto Mkandawire said they took advantage of the meeting to ask the leaders to support women candidates.
He said: “Candidates come from political parties and religious groupings; hence, lobbying religious and party leaders to support these women candidates.
“We also want the leaders to know details in the 2018 Political Parties Act so that they understand that handouts are against the law.”
Karonga Pastors Fraternal chairperson Pastor Grevazio Liwewe commended Nice for the meeting, saying they will relay the message to their followers.
“We will advocate for policies that promote gender equality to enable women participate in the elections,” he said.
Malawi Congress Party Karonga District chairperson James Emmanuel Nkhoma said it was important for parties to understand the Act and how they can support female candidates.
On his part, United Democratic Front district governor James Tembo said there was need to amend the Political Parties Act and remove any form of handouts to level the playing field.
To empower female candidates to participate in elections, Nice is implementing Nthawi Yawo Project in the district.
