By Jones Gadama
The Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) secret deal with electronic voting system a Panama-based company, has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite publicly stating that the gadgets wouldn’t be used in actual elections, the MEC shipped two printers weighing 64.8kgs in Panama on February 4, 2025, at a cost of K23.5 million to Malawi taxpayers.
The printers are allegedly for the national tally centre, but their purpose remains unclear.
This lack of transparency has sparked widespread concern among electoral stakeholders, who are demanding answers from the MEC. An MEC official, speaking anonymously, advised blocking the printers’ use until their purpose is clarified.
The MEC’s decision to engage system, a company with a history of controversy, has been questioned by many. In 2019, the company was involved in a disputed election in the Philippines, which has raised concerns about its reliability and impartiality.
Critics argue that the MEC’s secret deal with system undermines the integrity of the electoral process and may compromise the accuracy of election results.