The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has warned that it will stage mass protests if the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) restricts voter registration to only those with national identity cards. The registration is scheduled to begin this month.
Speaking at a press conference held at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe, DPP Director of Operations Charles Mchacha expressed concern that the National Registration Bureau (NRB) may not be able to register all eligible citizens in time for them to acquire national ID cards. He emphasized that if the MEC imposes the ID requirement without ensuring widespread registration, the party will encourage people to rise in protest
“We will mobilize people to take to the streets if NRB and MEC block them from registering,” Mchacha declared.
At the same event, DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito called on President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to take swift action by firing several top government officials, including Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara, and Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale. Mukhito accused them of being involved in the alleged corrupt procurement of fuel and fertilizer. He also claimed that the government is using political arrests to silence opposition voices.
In her remarks, DPP National Director of Women Mary Navicha accused the NRB of deliberately deploying faulty registration machines in the Southern and Northern regions to suppress voter numbers in those areas.
Leader of the Opposition George Chaponda urged the government to implement effective economic recovery measures and address the ongoing food shortages affecting the country. He also called for an independent investigation into the plane crash that killed former Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others in June this year.
DPP National Director of Youth Norman Chisale expressed frustration over the police’s delayed response to a political assault incident. Some party members were attacked at Mbowe filling station in Lilongwe during a planned Blue Parade, and Chisale said he is still waiting for a response from the Inspector General of Police.
The press conference, held under the theme “Unmasking MCP Corruption, Impunity, and Electoral Fraud,” served as a platform for the DPP to voice concerns over governance, corruption, and the electoral process.
