By Mercy Matonga:
The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has said it is still working to determine the exact number of missing names following the recent voter transfer exercise.
Last week, Mec released a statement in which it acknowledged reports of missing records in the preliminary voters’ register at some centres.
Mec Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa told The Daily Times Sunday that the commission was yet to establish the total number of affected individuals.
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“I don’t have the actual figure but reported cases so far are fewer than 10 registered voters. It would be best to wait for an official statement from the commission on this matter, as explained in the statement we issued,” Mwafulirwa said.
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In its recent statement, the commission announced that it had started investigating the cause of the missing records and how they could be rectified.
“The commission wishes to emphasise that the voter registration data remains preliminary until it has been provided to voters, political parties, candidates, civil society organisations and other observers for inspection to verify all entries in the Voters’ Register.
“Inspection and verification is the next activity in the electoral calendar,” the statement reads.
In the statement, Mec further assures that it will ensure that the final voters’ register contains all records, that all registered voters’ details remain intact and that no duly registered voter is disenfranchised.
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“The commission is fully committed to transparency, credibility and excellence in managing the electoral process and will, therefore, continue providing updates on the progress made in this quality control process,” it adds.
Mec conducted the voter transfer exercise from February to March this year across all registration centres.
Meanwhile, People’s Federation for National Peace and Development Executive Director Edward Chaka, whose organisation has experience in providing voter and civic education services, said there was a need for Mec to take its time on the issue.
‘It is commendable that Mec is exercising due diligence on the issue. As you know, election issues invoke the greatest emotions in people; as such, there is a need for the commission to be leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the September 16 2025 Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections are fair.
“It is also important for electoral stakeholders to avoid putting undue pressure on the Malawi Electoral Commission, which seems to be addressing issues that stakeholders to the electoral process have raised, including that related to missing names,” Chaka said.
He was quick to say Mec should ensure that it is updating stakeholders on each and every process it was undertaking to ensure that everyone knows what is happening in electoral activities.
