By Burnett Munthali
The adoption of the electronic voting system in Malawi has sparked widespread concern among electoral stakeholders, who argue that the system lacks the necessary transparency required for credible elections.
One of the primary issues raised is the difficulty in tracking and understanding the electoral processes embedded within the system. Stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations, have complained that the operations are not easily accessible or verifiable, leading to a crisis of confidence.
Another significant concern is that the servers used by the system are reportedly located outside Malawi. This raises the possibility of foreign interference and manipulation, as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) does not have full sovereignty over the management of election results.
History has also cast a shadow over the reliability of the system. In 2007, its failure in Kenya contributed to a post-election crisis that claimed the lives of over 1,300 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more. This historical precedent continues to haunt any discussions about the system’s suitability for use in volatile or high-stakes electoral environments.
To mitigate potential risks, electoral experts insist that any electronic results management system must be fully supported by a paper trail. This is essential for post-election audits and for building public trust in the integrity of the electoral process.
Moreover, lessons from Malawi’s own past cannot be ignored. In both the 2014 and 2019 general elections, the management of results came under heavy criticism. To avoid similar pitfalls, it is imperative that electronically transmitted results are thoroughly verified using the original result sheets from polling stations before any official announcements are made.
In light of these issues, there is a growing chorus of voices urging the MEC to prioritize transparency, national control, and verifiability in the selection and implementation of any election management system. Only then can Malawi safeguard the credibility of its democratic processes.
