By Edwin Mauluka
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has challenged media houses and practitioners in the country to prepare for the upcoming September 2025 General Election, by implementing electoral radio programmes and mass media messaging around elections.
MEC Chairman, Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale made the call today at Mponela in Dowa district during the sensitization workshop on new electoral laws and holding of by-elections to the Senior Editorial managers drawn from various media houses.
Kachale reminded the media managers that elections are a cycle and reiterated the significance of the media to embrace the cycle philosophy by ensuring that coverage of electoral issues is not confined to specific periods but rather consistently done throughout the cycle.
“I challenge you if you started a programme about elections there will be something every week for you to cover. The Commission itself has been running a newspaper column for 10 years now and every Wednesday there is something new to write about elections.” He said
“As we speak today, we have 2 years, 1 month, 3 weeks, and 3 days to the polls of 16 September 2025 General Election. You need to start electoral programming and reporting now and don’t wait for the start of voter registration.” Added Kachale
The MEC Chairman emphasized that by developing informative and engaging radio programs and stories focused on electoral issues, both Media and MEC can educate and empower citizens to exercise their democratic rights responsibly.
Justice Kachale noted that the workshop holds tremendous significance as it allows the media managers to deepen understanding of the electoral laws that govern electoral processes.
He said when media managers become well-versed in these laws, they can effectively communicate to the citizens which may in turn build an informed and engaged electorate. He added that this may further help citizens to be actively participate in the electoral process as well as remain informed and engaged at every stage of the electoral process.
During the workshop, National Registration Bureau (NRB) has also shared an update on the ongoing national outreach campaign for civil registration.
The new laws have prescribed a proof of national registration issued by the NRB as the sole identification for one to register as a voter.
