Pilot & Actual 2025 General Elections Voter Registrations rescheduled
Malawi Electoral Commission MEC has rescheduled the pilot voter registration exercise for 2025 General Elections which was initially planned to commence on 21 August, 2024.
This has been disclosed when chairperson of MEC Justice Anabel Mtalimanja was presenting to National Election Consultative Forum NECOF a report on the status of electoral processes and activities in preparation for 2025 General Election
Mtalimanja cited two reasons for the rescheduling of the pilot voter registration which include les restrictive stand taken by the commission to allow for other forms of proof of national registration apart from national ID card that will require to be tested first and where necessary change configurations, In other words the commission would like to further engage with NRB regarding the technicalities of using the slips.
In addition MEC wishes to have an elaborate engagement and awareness with communities in 100 sites to participate in the pilot just to ensure that there is clear understanding to avoid confusion with the main exercise.
According to MEC Chair due to rescheduling of the pilot voter registration the actual voter registration will not commence in September as initially planned
She says the commission will announce the revised start date for the main voter registration after the pilot has concluded and any issues identified during the pilot have been resolved.
MEC says by law it is required to begin voter registration on or after 16th September 2024 and completed at least 60 days before the polling day on 16th September 2025
This therefore allows voter registration to continue until 17th July 2025 adding the pilot voter registration is a critical step to ensure a successful rollout of the main registration
As such the electoral body says the accepted proofs of national registration with NRB
Presenting the report chairperson of MEC Justice Anabel Mtalimanja says in preparation for such NECOF meeting the commission requested stakeholders to submit issues and questions regarding the operations of the electoral body and preparations for the General Election
She says the objective is to maximize the value of the meeting by addressing any information gaps and needs that stakeholders might have.
Mtalimanja says considering that it has been over four years since a NECOF meeting was convened on September 11 2020 the report provides a summary of the activities that have been implemented so far in preparation for the polls.
According to MEC Chair the commission has extended invitations to National Registration Bureau NRB and Registrar of Political Parties to address matters pertinent to their respective offices
In addition based on discussions with various stakeholders NRB has been invited to present the current status f citizen registration while Registrar of political parties will provide an overview of the role of that office in the electoral process
On review of constituency and ward number and boundaries the 2025 elections will be held in 229 constituencies and 509 wards
She says with UNDP Basket Fund under Malawi Electoral Support Programme the commission has completed an internal law revision exercise which has consolidated all amendments to electoral laws passed since 2018
The commission has reactivated the transportation task force to manage logistical needs for the upcoming voter registration and accredited 116 voter education service providers
It demonstrated voter registration process using new Election Management Devices EMD’s to electoral stakeholders and pilot voter registration will be conducted across the country.
As required by law participants must present proof of registration with National Registration Bureau NRB which was scheduled to begin on 21st August 2024 but has been shifted to a later date to be announced
