Leader of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has urged ECG community in Malawi to practice active citizenry by taking part in the ongoing voter registration exercise in the country in readiness for next year’s tripartite elections.

This is contained in a press statement released on Tuesday signed by Bushiri’s Public Relations Officer Ephraim Nyondo.

According to Nyondo, Bushiri made the call in his regular Sunday Service prayers to nations.

“The freedom of religion and worship we currently enjoy in Malawi, and many other nations, was not given on a platter. People fought and won it through a vote. These freedoms need to be jealously guarded and sustained.

“This, however, cannot be achieved if we, as Christians, do not actively participate in civic processes such as voting in elections,” reads in part the statement.

Added the statement: “That is why I am, generally, calling on all Malawians and, specifically, our ECG members and followers to go and register so that next year they vote for a candidate of their choice. We must never underestimate the power of a vote.”

Bushiri said he believes the church has a central role to play in sensitizing its members to heed to their civic duty of active citizenry.

Meanwhile the voter registration exercise is its 4th phase.