By Burnett Munthali
Malawi’s Electoral Commission (MEC) is facing mounting scrutiny following troubling reports of underage voter registration at the Kawangi Registration Center in Dowa. The issue has raised serious questions about the integrity of the ongoing voter registration process, yet the commission has failed to provide a response to media inquiries, further fueling concerns about transparency and accountability.
On Monday, November 25, 2024, Maravi Post reached out to Mr. Richard Mveriwa, the Communications Officer for MEC, requesting an exclusive interview to address these allegations. Despite confirmation that the questionnaire was received, no response had been provided by the time of publication.
Follow-up efforts to Mr. Sangwani Mwafulirwa, MEC’s Director of Media and Public Relations, also proved fruitless. Mwafulirwa simply redirected the query to Mr. Mveriwa, stating, “Check with him.” This lack of engagement from the commission has left several critical questions about the voter registration process unanswered.
Unanswered Questions
The interview was intended to address key concerns, including:
1) How does MEC ensure that only citizens over 18 are registered, and what safeguards are in place to prevent underage registration?
2) What steps is MEC taking to investigate the claims of underage voter registration in Dowa?
3) How does MEC verify the authenticity of National IDs to ensure they are not being misused to register minors?
4) How is MEC responding to public concerns regarding the credibility of the voter registration process?
5) Is MEC considering the introduction of stricter measures, such as biometric verification, to prevent similar irregularities?
These allegations, which have been widely reported by civil society organizations and the media, have sparked significant concern about the credibility of the 2025 elections. The silence from MEC, despite repeated attempts for clarification, has only deepened public mistrust in the commission’s ability to manage a fair electoral process.
As the body responsible for ensuring free and fair elections, MEC is expected to uphold the democratic principles of transparency and accountability. However, these allegations of underage voter registration cast a shadow on the commission’s ability to meet these expectations.
The failure of MEC to engage with media inquiries or provide clarity on the issue has left many questioning its commitment to electoral integrity. As the registration process continues, it is essential that the commission takes immediate action to address these concerns and restore public confidence. Without active engagement and proactive steps to rectify these issues, MEC risks further erosion of trust in both its authority and the electoral process as a whole.
Malawi Freedom Network will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as the story unfolds.
