Chisankho Watch has urged the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to extend the ongoing voter registration exercise to ensure all eligible Malawians have an opportunity to register ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The call was made by the organization’s Executive Director, Bishop Gilford Matonga, during a press briefing at Sigerege Hotel in Lilongwe.
“MEC should consider extending the registration exercise to allow more people to register and participate in the upcoming elections,” said Bishop Matonga.
Chisankho Watch reported that disruptions caused by rains and technical malfunctions with registration machines have contributed to lower-than-expected registration numbers across the three completed phases.
According to the organization’s statement, during phase three alone, 42% of reports indicated that at least one or more potential registrants were turned away due to various issues, including failures of MEC’s Electronic Management Devices (EMD).
Many of those affected were new national identity registrants whose details had not yet been updated in the MEC’s systems following their registration with the National Registration Bureau (NRB).
Bishop Matonga also raised concerns over several critical incidents observed during the process. These included allegations of bribery involving MEC staff, the acceptance of registrants after official closing times, and the distribution of money and items to voters by certain politicians.
“Such incidents violate the Political Parties Act of 2018 and the MEC Code of Conduct, undermining the credibility and impartiality of the Commission,” he stated.
Chisankho Watch has called on the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure thorough fact-checking before making public statements. The organization also appealed to political parties to address misinformation and disinformation, which it said had negatively influenced public attitudes toward the registration process.
In light of these challenges, the organization reiterated its appeal to MEC to extend the registration period, ensuring no eligible voter is left behind.
