By Burnett Munthali
MEC has introduced a system that is very questionable
Sawyer Owen Kanyumba has sparked intense debate on the “Politics and Ideologies” WhatsApp platform by sharing his candid views on the credibility of Malawi’s election systems. In his post, Kanyumba questioned the integrity of the systems being promoted, particularly SMARTMATIC, a company tasked with managing election technology, and alleged possible deliberate manipulation.
Kanyumba suggested that a recent incident of multiple voter registrations might have been scripted to deceive the public into believing the system is reliable.
“It could be possible this incident is a scripted one to give false hopes to the public that the election system is capable of detecting multiple registrations. As we know, much has been touted about the integrity of SMARTMATIC. It may have been planned to create this scenario so that when he is caught, everyone should say the system is good,” he wrote.
His remarks have ignited heated discussions, with some agreeing and others dismissing the allegations as unfounded.
IT Systems and Fraud Risks
Kanyumba emphasized that no IT system is immune to fraud, particularly when administered by individuals with ulterior motives. He raised concerns about the possibility of deliberate manipulation of voter registration data by officials entrusted with the process.
“I know that every IT system is prone to deliberate fraud. The irony in this case is not just multiple registrations but also deliberate manipulation of the system by those who are entrusted to administer these elections. They can inflate the number of registrations,” he argued.
The post has drawn varied reactions from participants on the platform. Some users expressed concern about the credibility of Malawi’s election processes, urging authorities to address the allegations. Others defended SMARTMATIC, arguing that the system has safeguards to ensure transparency.
Kanyumba’s post underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in electoral processes, particularly as Malawi gears up for the 2025 general elections. His views echo the broader public demand for an electoral system that is not only reliable but also free from manipulation.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has yet to respond to these concerns, but the debate highlights the growing scrutiny of electoral systems and their impact on democratic governance. As discussions continue, stakeholders will need to address these issues to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
