As preparation for the by-elections in the country’s constituencies that fell vacant are at an advanced stage, National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust says it is in talks with Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to map the way forward on the awareness campaigns in the areas.

Among other constituencies, that fell vacant, and the electoral body is expected to preside over by- elections, include Lilongwe North West, Mangochi west, and Mangochi North East.

NICE Trust Executive Director, Ollen Mwalubunju, said they are ready to conduct voter sensitization campaigns in all the targeted constituencies.

However, he said activities will start as soon as MEC sets the dates for the elections.

Mwalubunju said: “We are underway in making consultations with MEC so that they should give us program for those by-elections in terms of dates so that based on their program we can also plan ours on voter mobilization.

“As of now we are doing general civic education on people’s rights, roles, responsibility and right to participate in public affairs.”

He further pointed out that NICE is looking forward to ensure that when the schedule for the by-elections is produced, all public healthy guidelines on COVID-19, that were put in place by the Ministry of Health, through the Presidential Task Force, are adhered to.

One of the constituencies MEC is strategizing by-elections, Lilongwe North-West, is where President Lazarus Chakwera was Member of Parliament.