Electoral stakeholders have commended National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) for playing a significant role in mobilizing and educating registered voters ahead of the 2019 tripartite elections and the recent by-election in Dedza.
The stakeholders observed that through its voter awareness and mobilization strategies, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) recorded a 74 percent voter turnout and maintained the null and void percentage to slightly below two percent.
This, according to the commentators, manifests NICE work during the elections as it was the only accredited civic and voter education institution which was on the ground across all constituencies and wards in the country.
In its consolidated Multi-Annual Program Estimate (MAPE), NICE indicates that for 2019 elections, women aspirants for member of Parliament (MP) increased from 254 MP aspirants in 2014 to 309 in 2019 which is a testament of NICE and 50-50 campaign agency work in mobilizing women to take part in the 2019 Tripartite Elections.
And through its women empowerment drive that was implemented in partnership with 50-50 campaign agency, MEC registered an increase in women aspirants both for Councilor and Member of Parliament. For instance, women numbers increased from 32 (in 2014) to 42 in 2019; thus 22 percent of women representation from 17 percent in 2014.
“Despite the 2019 Tripartite Elections being marred by challenges during the votes counting and tabulation, the voting process was not marred by violence which signifies that Malawians are now beginning to understand principles of democracy and peaceful co-existence, which NICE Trust has been advocating during the campaign period,” reads part of the consolidated report.
Ishmael Phiri, from Zomba Ntonya Constituency, said he switched candidates to vote for after attending a NICE-organized debate because the debate opened him to new horizons in politics.
“The debate has opened up my mind. All along I had a candidate in my mind whom I wanted to vote for but after attending this debate, I have changed my mind. I am impressed with the manifesto of one of the candidates and am surely going to vote for him,” said Phiri.
NICE Acting Executive Director Gray Kalindekafe pledged that his institution will continue providing quality and non-partisan voter education and mobilization campaigns in Malawi.
