By Burnett Munthali
As Malawi gears up for the 2025 General Elections, a group of concerned citizens has raised alarm over serious issues surrounding the voter registration process. The group, led by activists Edwards Kambanje, Joseph Peshi, and Oliver Nakoma, has sent a formal letter to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), demanding immediate corrective measures to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Their letter addresses a series of technical and logistical challenges that have already begun to disenfranchise voters, urging MEC to act swiftly to restore public confidence in the upcoming elections.
The letter, dated 26th November 2024, was written in response to a letter from MEC dated 11th November 2024. In their response, the citizens expressed dissatisfaction with MEC’s failure to address the core issues they had previously raised. Rather than focusing on the technical flaws in the voter registration process, MEC’s letter appeared to deflect attention by discussing procedural matters concerning the appointment of Dr. Anabel Mtalimanja as MEC Chairperson. The concerned citizens made it clear that their concerns were never about her appointment but about the integrity and effectiveness of the voter registration process itself.
A significant concern raised was Dr. Mtalimanja’s familial ties to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), where she is the daughter of a former party president. The citizens argued that these ties could create a perception of bias, undermining the impartiality of MEC and raising doubts about its ability to conduct free and fair elections.
However, the most pressing concerns in the letter were the technical and logistical challenges plaguing the registration process. These included:
Firstly, voters across the country reported being turned away from registration centers due to malfunctioning equipment. In many cases, the malfunctioning systems prevented eligible voters from registering, effectively denying them their constitutional right to vote.
Secondly, the registration process was further complicated by missing names on voter rolls. Inadequate support at registration centers left many voters struggling to complete their registration, disenfranchising thousands of Malawians.
Thirdly, the current timeline for voter registration was deemed insufficient to resolve these challenges. The short window left many potential voters without the opportunity to register, especially those affected by technical and logistical issues.
In light of these serious issues, the concerned citizens called for urgent action from the Malawi Electoral Commission:
1) The group urged MEC to extend the voter registration period to allow more citizens to register. Given the challenges that have already affected the process, the extension would provide an opportunity for all eligible voters to participate in the election and exercise their right to vote.
2) The concerned citizens demanded that MEC take immediate steps to resolve the systemic technical and logistical problems that have marred the registration process. This includes repairing malfunctioning equipment, ensuring the completeness of voter rolls, and increasing resources and support at registration centers.
The moral responsibility of the mec chairperson
In addition to their demands for action, the letter emphasized the moral and professional responsibility of MEC’s Chairperson, Dr. Anabel Mtalimanja. The citizens reminded her that her role was not just a procedural appointment but a critical position that required the highest standards of integrity. The legitimacy of the 2025 General Elections, they argued, depended on MEC’s ability to deliver a fair, transparent, and credible process.
“Your role as Chairperson is not merely a procedural appointment but a moral and professional responsibility to ensure that the commission operates without bias and with the highest standards of integrity,” the letter stated.
The concerned citizens called on Dr. Mtalimanja to act decisively within the next seven days, providing a clear action plan to address the ongoing issues. They warned that continued inaction would only serve to undermine public trust in the electoral process and the ability of MEC to uphold democratic principles.
A call for stakeholder engagement
In addition to urging MEC to resolve the immediate technical and logistical issues, the citizens also called for greater stakeholder engagement. The letter highlighted the importance of involving all political parties, civil society organizations, and other concerned parties in the effort to fix the registration process. By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, MEC could ensure that the registration process is inclusive, transparent, and free from bias.
“We urge you to engage key stakeholders, all political parties, not excluding us, the Civil Society, instead of addressing unconcerned parties,” the letter concluded.
In conclusion, as the 2025 General Elections draw nearer, the concerns raised by the concerned citizens highlight the importance of a fair, transparent, and inclusive electoral process. The issues surrounding voter registration cannot be ignored, as they threaten to undermine the legitimacy of the election. It is crucial that the Malawi Electoral Commission acts swiftly to address these problems and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The call for fairness, transparency, and inclusivity is not just a demand from a few concerned individuals but from the broader Malawian population. Without decisive action, the credibility of the 2025 elections could be severely compromised, and the democratic principles on which the country is built could be called into question. Now, more than ever, the government and MEC must prioritize the fairness and integrity of the electoral process to ensure that all Malawians have the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of their country.
