By Burnett Munthali
Serious concerns over voter registration irregularities have surfaced in Dowa, Central Region, where reports indicate that underage children are being registered as voters in violation of electoral laws. Evidence gathered by an undercover cameraman at Kawangi Registration Center in Dowa East Constituency has raised alarms about the integrity of the voter registration process ahead of Malawi’s next elections.
The undercover cameraman, who risked his safety to document the malpractice, reported seeing children who appeared to be in Standard 4 registering as voters. Despite their apparent young age, they were being processed without further verification.
“When I asked if these children were 18, no one answered directly. Instead, they started following me, forcing me to flee the scene,” the cameraman shared. He managed to take a photograph of the incident before escaping, which has now been shared with relevant authorities for further investigation.
Alinafe Chikakuda, the District Programs Officer (DPO) for the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) in Dowa, confirmed receiving the complaint from residents of Dowa East, a constituency represented by MP Richard Chimwendo Banda. Chikakuda followed up with the District Elections Officer, who offered a controversial explanation.
“The officer said that as long as someone possesses an ID, they can register as a voter,” Chikakuda revealed. This response has raised questions, as the use of fraudulent or improperly issued IDs could enable minors to bypass the age requirement for voting.
Allowing underage individuals to register as voters is a clear violation of Malawi’s electoral laws, which mandate that only citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to vote. Such practices not only undermine the credibility of the electoral process but also cast doubt on the fairness of future elections.
Civil society organizations have called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to intervene urgently. “This issue is not just about one registration center; it reflects deeper systemic weaknesses that must be addressed immediately,” said a representative from a local governance watchdog.
The incident highlights the critical role of journalists in uncovering irregularities. Chikakuda has urged media personnel to visit registration centers across the country to identify similar cases. “Journalists must act as the eyes and ears of the public to ensure transparency and accountability in this process,” she said.
The Malawi Electoral Commission is facing increasing pressure to tighten its registration protocols. Stakeholders are calling for enhanced verification measures, including age validation beyond the presentation of an ID, to prevent further violations.
This incident in Dowa serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved in the electoral process. The fight for electoral integrity requires vigilance from citizens, media, and civil society organizations alike. Failure to address such violations could undermine public confidence in the democratic process and jeopardize the legitimacy of the 2025 elections.
The authorities must act swiftly to investigate these claims and enforce compliance with electoral laws, ensuring that only eligible Malawians are allowed to participate in the voting process.
