By Burnett Munthali
Despite a court ruling mandating the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to operate alongside the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) during the voter registration process, reports suggest that NRB continues to ignore this directive. The decision by the court was meant to address logistical challenges and ensure that citizens, particularly first-time voters, are seamlessly registered in time for the upcoming elections. However, actions on the ground paint a different picture.
The court ruled that NRB and MEC should collaborate in a “side-by-side” manner to ensure efficiency during the voter registration process. This ruling came after concerns were raised that many eligible voters were being turned away or delayed due to inconsistencies in NRB’s operations, such as missing names in their records or malfunctioning equipment.
The court emphasized that NRB’s presence at voter registration centers was crucial to verify and update national identity records, which are a prerequisite for registering to vote.
Despite the clear court directive, many registration centers report limited or no presence of NRB staff. This has resulted in numerous challenges for registrants, including:
1) Eligible citizens who previously registered with NRB have found their names missing from the system.
2) Individuals attempting to update their details, such as age or address, face significant delays or are told to return on later dates.
3) Many young voters who recently turned 18 have been unable to register due to NRB’s absence or inefficiency.
These issues have sparked outrage among civil society groups and political leaders, who accuse NRB of deliberately flouting the court’s orders.
The lack of NRB’s compliance has disproportionately affected young voters, who make up a significant portion of the electorate. Many youths, eager to exercise their voting rights for the first time, have been discouraged by the chaotic registration process. Activists argue that this undermines democracy and could lead to voter apathy.
Political leaders, including UTM Youth Director Fredokiss Kalua, have called on NRB to respect the court’s ruling. “What we are witnessing is a deliberate attempt to frustrate young voters. This is a clear violation of their rights and an insult to the court’s authority,” Kalua said during a visit to registration centers in Blantyre.
Civil society organizations have also threatened to take legal action against NRB if it continues to defy the court order. “The rule of law must be upheld. Institutions like NRB cannot operate as though they are above the law,” said a representative from the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC).
As the final phase of voter registration approaches, stakeholders are urging MEC and NRB to address these challenges immediately. Experts recommend the following measures:
Strict Enforcement of the Court Ruling: NRB must ensure that its staff are present and operational at all registration centers.
Improved Communication: Both NRB and MEC should enhance public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the registration process.
Extension of Registration Deadlines: Given the ongoing challenges, an extension of the voter registration period may be necessary to accommodate affected individuals.
The refusal by NRB to comply with the court’s ruling not only undermines the registration process but also erodes public trust in electoral institutions. As the nation prepares for the 2024 elections, it is critical that all stakeholders work together to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process. Failure to do so risks disenfranchising thousands of Malawians and jeopardizing the credibility of the elections.
