By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, April 21, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has urged political parties to intensify their campaigns emphasizing there is no opportunity for rigging in the September 16, 2025 General Election.

MEC Commissioner Richard Chapweteka was speaking in Dedza at Inkosi Kamenyagwaza’s headquarters where he briefed traditional and faith leaders about voters register verification process.

He said the verification process will start from May 13, 2025 to May 15, 2025 in Dedza, Chitipa, Mulanje and others districts in the phase one.

The commissioner said despite rigging claims making rounds Malawians should trust the commission that it will conduct credible elections because it has a system that will not allow anyone to rig the election.

“Voters verification is a step to achieve a clean voters register and promotes transparent and credible elections. We urge everyone who registered to vote including those who transferred to vote in different centres to verify their identity in the voters register,” he said.

Chapwetaka added that the commission has also established a mobile verification platform requiring one to dial *2509# and enter the number starting with letter G on their voter certificate.

“For those who fail to verify at the centre they can dial *2509# to verify their names on phone free of charge starting from May 5, 2025. A single phone can be used to verify names of many voters, even an entire village,” he said.

The commissioner said the verification process will also be used to issue voter certificate duplicates to the voters who have lost their certificates.

He however said failure to present a voter certificate or national identity card during the voting day would not prevent anyone from voting so long they correctly give their names or phone number registered in the voters register.

Inkosi Kamenyagwaza hailed MEC for engaging the traditional and faith leaders to spread the messages noting they have influence and wider reach.

“We will use different platforms to spread the message. Verification process is critical in preparing the voters for the election. Those with issues in the system will have an opportunity to fix them in advance,” he said.