By Suleman Chitera
MISA Malawi has expressed disappointment over the exclusion of journalists from special voting arrangements ahead of the 16 September elections.
An emergency sitting of Parliament yesterday amended the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, granting Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) staff and security personnel the right to vote at their duty stations on polling day. However, journalists—who also work long hours away from their constituencies during elections—were left out of the arrangement.
MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga said the decision undermines the crucial role of the media in safeguarding democracy.
“We are still analyzing the full implications of this amended law on the work of journalists,” Matonga told Capital FM. “But it is clear that inclusive electoral policies are essential to ensure every Malawian—including those keeping the nation informed—can exercise their right to vote.”
The development has sparked concern across the media fraternity, with calls mounting for lawmakers and MEC to reconsider and extend special voting privileges to journalists before the polls.
