By Pemphero Malimba:
The National Registration Bureau (NRB) has said it has noticed misconceptions in the national identity (ID) outreach exercise it is conducting in some parts of the country.
NRB is currently conducting Phase Seven of the exercise in Rumphi, Lilongwe Rural and Blantyre Rural to offer an opportunity to citizens who have just turned 16 years to register for their first ID cards.
The bureau is also replacing cards of those who lost or had them damaged and issuing new ones to those who did not get them during the mass registration activity.
The current outreach exercise commenced on April 15 and winds up today.
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NRB Principal Secretary Mark Sambo said in a statement that although the exercise started on a positive note, there are areas where gaps have been noted.
Among other issues, Sambo has cited failure by some people to appreciate all the requirements necessary for them to be issued the IDs.
“Older applicants who attest to have travelled during the initial mass registration must provide proper travel documentation, two witnesses with valid national [IDs] and a letter of verification from their local chief.
“This stringent process effectively prevents non-citizens from obtaining national IDs,” Sambo said.
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He has still expressed optimism that NRB will successfully register all citizens including those in rural areas.
“The bureau is implementing a comprehensive registration for national [ID] card registration with a broad focus to reach out to citizens closer to their communities nationwide,” the statement adds.
Meanwhile, governance commentator George Chaima has stressed the need for more awareness on the registration exercise for people to understand what is required of them.
Chaima said in a separate interview that stakeholders such as political parties and community leaders should play their parts in civic educating people on the process.
“This can also be done through media publications, community rallies and talk shows. Information must be available in all district councils, designated service areas and public areas,” he said.
He observed that knowledge gaps can negatively affect preparations for the 2025 elections.
According to the new electoral laws, anyone interested in voting during the polls is required to use their national ID to register.
“Because general elections involve politicians, sometimes it is possible for political players to twist information deliberately to create confusion and a state of disorder to dent the credibility of elections,” Chaima said.
