The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust has joined calls for an extension of voter registration in the first two phases, observing that this will enable all eligible voters to register for the September 2025 General Elections.

This follows an announcement by the National Registration Bureau (NRB) that it will start national identity registration in all Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) registration centres beginning today, November 27, 2024.

NICE National Programmes Manager Christopher Naphiyo, speaking in an interview with The Nation newspaper, commended NRB for taking the initiative, stressing that the early start will give an opportunity to more Malawians to register for the national ID, leading to their subsequent registration as voters.

Naphiyo shared concerns of various Malawians that NRB did not give adequate time for registration in the first two phases.

The National Coordinator for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Lewis Msiyadungu, also commended the NRB for the steps it is taking to ensure that all eligible voters are given the opportunity to register.