By Burnett Munthali
Dedza District is at the center of a brewing controversy after reports emerged that a 12-year-old girl has been registered to vote in next year’s elections. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), under the leadership of Annabel Mtalimanja, is now facing serious questions about the integrity of its voter registration process.
a young girl from Dedza, has reportedly been issued a voter registration card despite being under the legal voting age of 18. This revelation has sparked outrage and calls for immediate action from political stakeholders and civil society organizations, as it raises concerns about the credibility of the voter roll for the upcoming elections.
The issue has drawn criticism from various quarters. Human rights activists have condemned the incident, describing it as a glaring oversight by the electoral body. “This is a direct violation of the law and undermines the credibility of our democratic processes,” one activist said.
Political parties, too, have expressed their frustrations. Several opposition leaders have accused MEC of negligence, with some suggesting that this could be part of a larger scheme to manipulate the elections.
However, others have questioned how this incident went unnoticed during the registration process. Was it an isolated case, or does it reflect deeper systemic failures?
The MEC Chairperson, Annabelle Mtalimanja, has yet to issue an official statement addressing the incident. Insiders at MEC, however, have suggested that the issue might be the result of human error at the local registration center.
To restore public trust, MEC is expected to launch a thorough investigation into the matter. There are also growing calls for an independent audit of the entire voter registration process to ensure that similar cases do not occur.
This incident has reignited debates about the readiness of Malawi’s electoral system for the 2025 elections. Critics argue that such oversights could potentially undermine the legitimacy of the polls.
For many Malawians, this case highlights the need for stronger safeguards to prevent minors from being registered and to ensure that voter registration processes are transparent and error-free.
As investigations unfold, the pressure is on MEC to not only address this specific case but also demonstrate its commitment to upholding the integrity of Malawi’s electoral processes.
The question remains: How did a 12-year-old manage to get registered, and what measures will be put in place to prevent such occurrences in the future?
Malawians are watching closely, as the credibility of the 2025 elections now hangs in the balance.
