Malawi Electoral Body Defends Tech Provider, Appointments Amid Party Concerns
The commission revealed it visited Smartmatic's assembly plant in Taiwan and consulted with electoral bodies in Zambia and Kenya where the company has operated.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has defended its selection of Smartmatic International Holding B.V. as its technology provider for the upcoming elections, responding to concerns raised by opposition parties about the company's integrity, writes Winston Mwale.
In a detailed statement released on Wednesday, MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja addressed allegations made by the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and UTM Party during their October 16 press conference.
"The contracting of Smartmatic was in accordance with the law that regulates procurement in Malawi, and all necessary due diligence was conducted," Mtalimanja said.
The commission revealed it visited Smartmatic's assembly plant in Taiwan and consulted with electoral bodies in Zambia and Kenya where the company has operated.
The procurement process, which began in August 2023, initially included three companies: Smartmatic, Aratek Biometric International from Taiwan, and Miru Systems from South Korea.
However, only Smartmatic submitted a final bid, receiving subsequent approvals from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority and Anti-corruption Bureau.
MEC also defended the appointments of Justice Mtalimanja as chairperson and Andrew Mpesi as Chief Elections Officer, both of which were questioned by the opposition parties.
The commission emphasized that Mpesi's selection followed "an open, transparent, and competitive process" as required by law.
Addressing concerns about results transmission, MEC confirmed it will implement both electronic and physical transmission systems from constituency and district tally centres to the National Tally Centre, with stakeholder consultations planned once the Results Management System is in place.
"We are dedicated to addressing these issues through open dialogue and constructive engagement," Mtalimanja said, reaffirming the commission's commitment to maintaining electoral integrity.
*Download the statement below:
