Malawi Electrical Commission (MEC) has mentioned misinformation as one factor that can negatively impact the September 16 2025 General Election.
MEC regional elections manager (South) Jeff Kabondo said that there are some Malawians who do not verify information and believe everything shared on social media platforms.
He was said this yesterday during a panel discussion Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI) organised at Catholic University of Malawi in Chiradzulu.
Said Kabondo: “Misinformation and disinformation is one of the threats that can affect voters’ participation in the elections. Either people don’t go and register because they have been misinformed or they do not participate in the actual polling.
“So, we urge media houses or organisations informing people or providing civic and voter education to take correct information to the people.”
In an interview on the sidelines of the discussion, IPI executive director Nandin Patel said this is the right time to sensitise the youth to exercise their right to vote in the September elections.
She urged the youth to refuse to be used by politicians.
“It is high time the youth said no, we are not ready for violence. But we are ready for constructive engagement,” said Patel.
The panel discussion, whose panellists included Kabondo, Nation Publications Limited Online editor Sellina Kainja, governance policy analyst Mavuto Bamusi and governance and elections expert Fannie Nthakomwa, tackled the topic ‘Why should we go and vote’.
In her submission, Kainja noted that the media has not done enough to promote active participation of youths, women and people with disabilities in elections.
“Free, fair and credible elections will not be achieved if journalists misinform people. So when we hear things, let’s verify,” she said.
On his part, Bamusi urged eligible voters not to vote for personalities, but leaders who have good vision to transform the country’s economy.
