CHRR urges clergy to proclaim voter registration gospel
Kaiyatsa: motivate people
The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) is appealing to the clergy to influence the citizenry to actively participate in the voter registration exercise.
Currently, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is undertaking a countrywide voter registration exercise ahead of next year’s general elections.
There have been concerns that some citizens are yet to get their national identity cards from the National Registration Bureau (NRB).
The situation has raised fears of voter apathy, hence the CHRR executive director, Michael Kaiyatsa appeals for religious leaders to take an active role in the exercise.
“Religious leaders have a unique place to ensure that they are able to reach out to those that do not have any interest in taking part in the electoral process especially registration.”
“It’s important that they should use that trust and influence and to motivate people, especially young people and other marginalized groups, to come out and vote in their large numbers,” Kaiyatsa said.
Governance expert, Undule Mwakasungula on the other hand believes the best approach is to engage the clergy through thorough capacity building that broadens their understanding of the importance of participating in electoral process.
Mwakasungula said: “It is important for all to take part in the process regardless of religious beliefs. The registration and voting process basically benefits the nation which they also live in thus the need for active participation from the group because, though will not be done in heaven, it is important as a human right on earth.”
Meanwhile, Zomba will be one of the districts where the second phase of the exercise is expected to commence on Saturday, November 9.
The electoral body revealed that it expects the exercise to run for the next two weeks in various centres in the district.
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