MEC Chief: National ID Required for Voter Registration, as Per Law
The chairperson expressed surprise at the persistent debate over this issue, emphasizing that the commission's stance is not arbitrary but based on legal requirements.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Malawi's electoral body is standing firm on its requirement for national identification cards as proof of voter eligibility, citing adherence to the law amid criticism from some political parties, writes Winston Mwale.
During the opening of a review meeting for the pilot voter registration exercise on Monday, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding voter registration requirements.
"MEC works within the framework of the law," Mtalimanja said.
"It is the stipulation of the law that proof of eligibility to register as a voter is the proof of national registration, which is the national ID card."
The chairperson expressed surprise at the persistent debate over this issue, emphasizing that the commission's stance is not arbitrary but based on legal requirements.
"We are not clinging, we are following the law," Mtalimanja stated.
"I wish to make that very clear, and I hope that the media are going to help us."
Mtalimanja urged political parties and other stakeholders to verify the legal basis for this requirement, suggesting they consult their legal representatives or review the relevant legislation.
"If parliament changes, if there is an amendment to the law, then MEC is going to change the system as well," she added, indicating the commission's willingness to adapt should the legal framework change.
The MEC chairperson also called for an end to misinformation, warning that false information could create challenges not just for the electoral body but for Malawian citizens as a whole.
"We want to deliver free, fair, credible and inclusive justifiable elections to the people of Malawi in 2025," Mtalimanja said, reaffirming the commission's commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement throughout the electoral process.
The review meeting follows a pilot voter registration exercise conducted in September, with the national voter registration scheduled to begin on October 21.