M
alawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed fear that funding challenges facing civil society organisations (CSOs) could frustrate the activities ahead of the September 16 General Election.
MEC civic and voter education manager King Norman Rudi made the remarks yesterday in Mzuzu on the sidelines of training for Northern Region constituency civic and voter education assistants ahead of the voter transfer exercise.
The voter transfer exercise will be conducted in three phases from February 25 2025 to March 15 2025 with all registration centres scheduled to open for three days.
Rudi acknowledged that CSOs complement the commission in voter and civic education; hence, a lack of funding will mean MEC’s efforts to woo voters would be inadequate on the ground.
“We may not be at each and every place to sensitise the people. If the CSOs do not get funding, it means our work as MEC would be heavy in ensuring that we reach out to every voter,” he said.
But Rudi assured that the commission had adequate resources for voter and civic education although he could not state how much has been set aside for the exercise.
As an alternative to maximising efforts, he encouraged political parties to woo their supporters to go and vote, saying voting is voluntary in Malawi; hence, MEC’s duty is to give impetus to voters.
Last week, development partners supporting the country’s elections through the Malawi Electoral Support Project (Mesp) Basket Fund were yet to commit to calls by CSOs for increased funding.
Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said lack of funding is standing in the way of CSOs’ efforts to support MEC in the voter and civic education exercises.
Mesp funding falls within strengthening the capacities and preparedness of MEC, and CSOs to scale up civic and voter education with emphasis on women, people with disabilities and youth participation.
