NICE Ignites Civic Education Awareness Ahead of General Elections


photo: Hajira Ali, inspector Kondowe and attendees 

By: Jane Chimchere 

March 20 ,2025

National Initiative for civic Education (NICE) on thursday held a civic education campaign at Kafulu primary school in Area 22 to promote democratic participation and peaceful coexistence as Malawi inches closer to general elections. 

Addressing the gathering NICE  distric civic education programs officer Hajira Ali said the initiative aims to promote six pillars of democracy which are tolerance, respect for human rights, citizen participation, transparency and accountability and regular free and fair elections. 


"Our message is clear democracy  thrives when citizens participate peacefully and make informed decisions. Every citizen must attend every political rally even though you do not agree with their political ideologies inorder to make informed decisions and vote for a right leader not based on tribalism or regionalism." Ali said. 

Misinformation and political violence are major threats to democracy. 

"We urge communities not to be used by politicians to spread hate speech and violence we all have a duty to promote peace before, during and after elections ." She said. 

Inspector Masozi Kondowe from Biwi police station echoed Ali's sentiments warning that the law enforcement will remain vigilant during the election period . 

"Let me remind everyone that police will not tolerate lawlessness anyone found inciting violence will face the law." Kondowe said. 

It is our mandate to protect citizens from politicians who want to use the youth for their political gains . 

"We need to work together for a common goal in promoting peace in the coming general elections because as leaders in your communities you know young people who are engaging in political violence terrorizing communities with machetes." He said. 

Piers Betha block leader and community chief urged his subjects to practice what NICE is teaching them seriously. 

"We should not allow elections to divide us , after elections we will still remain neighbors and relatives let us allow any political party to conduct their rallies peacefully and let's vote wisely." Betha said. 

Abdul Isimaila, chair Area 22 Masjid thanked NICE for edicating them and urge police to protect citizens and educate them about the constitution and the laws of the land. 

"We need to work together with the police because people are living in fear , just yesterday some young men hacked each other due to political reasons and we are very afraid of what is coming ahead." He said. 

Another community leader Steven Banda concurred with Isimaila that it is shameful and to see our members of parliament who are supposed to be law makers fight each other in parliament. 

"We need to encourage each other to avoid political violence and instead focusing on choosing good leaders for the betterment of our country." Banda said . 

Peter kamwaza area 22 chair , emphasized that handouts are a source of political violence. 

"Politicians should stop giving handouts to people so that they vote for them but if they want to help people especially in the time of hunger they should help the community as a whole . " Kamwaza said. 

Loveness Wasili one of the locals who attended the event expressed appreciation for the initiative. 

" I have learned alot today , before i thought voting was just a favour to politicians i did not know that it is my right but now i know it is also my responsibility. " Wasili said . 

As the event ended Hajira Ali reaffirmed  NICE's commitment to continue civic education through out the election period and beyond . 

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