By George Mponda

Karonga, June 12, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) District Elections Officer for Karonga, Elias Nyirenda, Wednesday reaffirmed MEC's commitment to empower women and youth for them to contest for various political leadership positions during the 2025 General Elections.

Speaking Wednesday during a briefing session on nomination processes, Nyirenda said that to ensure that disadvantaged people participate in the General Elections, MEC has reduced nomination fees for such aspirants.

“Parliamentary nomination fees are pegged at K2.5 million for men, while women, youth and the elderly will pay half that which is K1.250,000 million.

For councilors, men will pay K200,000 and women, youth and the elderly will pay K100,000.00 while those seeking to run for the presidency will pay K10 million,” said Nyirenda.

He then advised the aspirants to observe the nomination processes as presented to them.

United Transformation Movement shadow councillor for Rukuru North Ward, Charles Mwakasungula commended MEC for organizing the meeting and said the aspirants will strive to follow the stipulated nomination processes.

“Any game has its own rules and regulations for orderliness and similarly this applies to politics. We have been brief on our conduct during the electoral process so that we contribute to fair, transparent and credible 2025 General Elections," said Mwakasungula.

Nationalistic Patriotic Party shadow councillor for Lufilya Ward, Walinase Mhango described the engagement as an eye-opener.

The briefing is one such engagement that MEC conducted across the country for people who want to run for various positions in the upcoming general elections.