Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI) has encouraged young people to participate in the 2025 General Election both as voters and candidates to ensure that their interests are taken on board.
Speaking on Wednesday during a town hall meeting at Soche Technical College in Blantyre, IPI executive director Nandini Patel said there is concern that there could be voter apathy among the youth because of previous unmet expectations.
“So, we want to motivate the youth that apathy is not the answer and every vote is important,” she said.
Political scientist Ernest Thindwa, who was one of the panellists, said youths need to understand how the party or candidates they are voting for will promote their interests.
He encouraged young people to push the agenda for increased youth representation in political positions.
Thindwa said youths make up over half of the country’s population but only one person aged 35 or below won a parliamentary seat on a party ticket in the 2019 Tripartite Elections.
“It is important that the youth should participate in decision-making processes, particularly in councils and Parliament where decisions affecting their future are made,” he said.
Centre for Governance and Leadership team leader Chimwemwe Kaonga encouraged youths aspiring for political positions to engage mentors, get requisite skills and build social capital in their communities.
In 2023, an Afrobarometer opinion poll revealed that despite being the majority of Malawi’s population, the youth are struggling to use their numbers to advance their political agenda.
