By Chisomo Phiri
A group of concerned citizens operating under the banner ‘ Concerned Citizens of Malawi’ has today started inspecting the National Registration Bureau (NRB) registration centres in Blantyre.
The inspection which ends on June 3,2024 comes as the NRB extends the registration period for Phase 8 of the National ID Outreach and Community Death Registration exercises in the cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre until May 28,2024.
According to the group, the inspection aims at assessing the registration process and gather information on whether the National ID should be a prerequisite for voting.
It says, it will hold a press conference on June 5th, 2024, to share its findings and recommendations on the registration process and the National ID prerequisite for voting.
NRB claims that the extension is due to the high demand for registration in the final days of Phase 8.
The bureau’s Principal Secretary, MAK Sambo, said the additional days will allow staff to register the remaining citizens at the NRB Outreach Registration Centres.
Registration for National Identity Documents is an ongoing process and can be accessed at NRB District Registration Offices or designated Post Offices within their district.
The NRB reminds the public that registration and issuance of Application Forms are free of charge, and any instances of selling forms or charging for registration should be reported to the nearest Police Station.
Meanwhile,the development comes as Malawi prepares for future elections, with the National ID registration process being a crucial aspect of the electoral process.