MEC Trains Civic and Voter Education Assistants Ahead of 2025 General Elections

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has commenced training program for the newly recruited Constituency Civic and Voter Education Assistants (CCVEAs) as part of its preparations for the 2025 General Election.

The training of the first cohort of 115 CCVEAS was held at Linde Hotel in Mponela on 25th September 2024 and aimed at equipping the CCVEAs with the skills and knowledge needed to carry out their duties effectively in the field, promoting voter education and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

In his welcome remarks, MEC’s Chief Elections Officer, Mr Andrew Mpesi, congratulated the recruits for successfully passing the highly-competitive selection process.

Mr Mpesi highlighted the critical role that CCVEAs will play in influencing the success of the upcoming elections, emphasizing that their work will directly impact the quality of voter education and the transparency of the electoral process.

“You are now part of the Malawi Electoral Commission family, and your performance can directly influence the success of our elections. The eyes of the electorate will be on you, and you must maintain the highest levels of professionalism at all times,” Mpesi remarked.

He urged the new recruits to approach their roles with dedication, stressing that they must remain agile and open to learning, especially with the evolving legal and technological landscape surrounding elections​.

Mpesi also addressed the importance of the CCVEAs staying committed to their assigned constituencies, warning against abandoning posts.

“Your physical presence in the constituency is crucial to the success of your work. The voters need to know that they can count on you,” he added, reinforcing the importance of direct engagement with communities​.

Commissioner Dr Emmanuel Fabiano delivered the opening speech, emphasizing the gravity of the responsibility that each CCVEA carries.

He described the CCVEAs as the face of MEC in their respective constituencies, urging them to embody the highest standards of professionalism, impartiality, and integrity.

“You are agents of the Malawi Electoral Commission, and your conduct in the field will reflect directly on the Commission itself. This is why it is crucial that you maintain impartiality and avoid any conflicts of interest,” Dr Fabiano stressed.

He warned those harbouring political ambitions that remaining in their roles would pose an ethical conflict and harm MEC’s credibility​.

In his speech, Commissioner Dr Fabiano further stressed the importance of inclusivity in the electoral process. He urged the CCVEAs to work with individuals from diverse social backgrounds, including marginalized groups such as people with disabilities.

“Do not discriminate. Professionalism, inclusivity, and integrity must be at the core of everything you do,” he added​.

As the training continues, the CCVEAs will cover a range of topics, including an overview of the electoral laws, voter registration procedures, polling, results management, and monitoring of civil society activities related to voter education.

This training is designed to prepare the assistants to hit the ground running as they take up their roles in their respective constituencies, ensuring that voter education reaches every corner of the country​.

The MEC has recruited 229 CCVEAs who will be deployed to each of the 229 constituencies for the 2025 General Election.