Malawi Expands Digital Voter Registration to Eight New Districts
The current phase marks a crucial step toward Malawi's September 2025 general elections, with MEC planning to evaluate and adjust the process based on ongoing assessment.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Malawi Electoral Commission announced Sunday its expansion of voter registration to eight new districts, building on lessons learned from recently completed Phase 2 of the national registration drive ahead of the 2025 elections, writes Winston Mwale.
The Commission reported successful completion of Phase 2, with officials currently analyzing registration statistics to determine if extensions are needed. This data-driven approach aims to ensure comprehensive voter participation across the country.
"The Commission highly commends all eligible citizens who registered as voters in the recently concluded Phase 2 for their dedication to civic duty," said Sangwani Mwafulirwa, Director of Media and Public Relations at MEC.
Phase 3 will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11, targeting major population centres including Lilongwe City, Lilongwe Rural, Mzimba, Mangochi, Mangochi Municipality, Mwanza, Chikwawa and Nsanje. Registration centres will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The process requires voters to obtain National Registration Bureau identification at least 24 hours before registering, a measure designed to prevent fraud but which could pose timing challenges for some citizens.
To address potential timing issues, the Commission encourages early registration.
The NRB requires at least 24 hours to generate unique identifiers, making planning essential for smooth registration.
The 14-day registration window per phase represents a balanced approach between accessibility and administrative efficiency, based on experiences from previous phases.
Similar digital ID requirements have been successfully implemented in other African nations, though timing between ID issuance and voter registration remains a common challenge.
The Commission continues to monitor registration patterns and maintains the flexibility to extend periods if needed, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing voter participation.
The current phase marks a crucial step toward Malawi's September 2025 general elections, with MEC planning to evaluate and adjust the process based on ongoing assessment.