MEC Unveils 2025 Election Theme, Urges Voter Registration
The 2025 General Election theme is "Promoting Democratic Leadership Through Your Vote."
LILONGWE, Malawi — The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has announced the theme for the 2025 general election, encouraging citizens to register as voters once the registration process commences, writes Martin Kamlaike.
MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja made the call Tuesday at a press conference in Lilongwe, updating stakeholders on preparations for the Sept. 16, 2025, election of the president, members of parliament and ward councilors.
Mtalimanja announced MEC's purchase of new equipment for the tripartite elections.
"The Commission has planned to migrate from the Biometric Voter Registration Kits to the Election Management Devices," she said.
MEC has procured 6,500 gadgets and power banks as part of its strategy to modernize electoral processes.
The commission reiterated that only people with national identity cards will be eligible to register as voters. "If you do not have the national ID, go and register now to have one," Mtalimanja emphasized.
MEC will launch the general election on Aug. 2, 2024, in Lilongwe, engaging stakeholders on preparations to date.
From July 31 to Aug. 16, 2024, the commission plans to meet with political parties, media, development partners, civil society organizations and ICT experts to demonstrate the new voter registration process.
A pilot voter registration will be conducted in August across selected sites to test the new devices.
Mtalimanja noted that a fresh voters register will be constructed, requiring everyone to register anew for the 2025 election.
"Starting from the 2025 General Election, the country will have 229 constituencies, up from 193, and 509 wards, up from 462," she said.
MEC has accredited 116 civil society organizations as electoral civic education practitioners.
The commission expressed concern about potential disinformation and fake news leading up to the election.
"Disinformation and misinformation, whether spread innocently or maliciously, can undermine the democratic process and erode public trust," Mtalimanja said.
The 2025 General Election theme is "Promoting Democratic Leadership Through Your Vote."