By Burnett Munthali

Some concerned registered voters in Malawi have called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to withdraw the use of the electronic voting system in the upcoming polls scheduled for 16 September 2025.

The voters made their demands during a press briefing held in Blantyre on Monday, citing fears that the use of the electronic system could compromise the integrity of the elections.

Among those voicing their concerns were Steve Chimwaza, Edwards Kambanje, and Billy Banda, who stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

They revealed that they had submitted a formal letter to MEC on 13 May 2025 outlining their concerns regarding the use of system but alleged that MEC deliberately ignored their correspondence.

The voters expressed disappointment with MEC’s silence and accused the commission of disregarding genuine concerns raised by the electorate.

“We, the registered voters, highlighted our concerns in writing to MEC on 13 May, 2025, but MEC deliberately chose not to respond to our concerns,” the voters stated.

They emphasized that they do not want the country to go through another election marred by disputes and credibility issues.

The concerned voters also called for the appointment of independent auditors to scrutinize the system before it is used in any electoral process.

They argued that independent verification would help assure the public of the system’s reliability and eliminate suspicions of manipulation.

According to the voters, adhering to these calls would help restore MEC’s integrity and rebuild public trust in the electoral body.

They added that transparency and accountability are essential elements that underpin a thriving democracy, and MEC must uphold these values.

The voters warned that should MEC refuse to revert to a manual voting process, they would mobilize nationwide demonstrations to force action.

They stated that peaceful protests would be a necessary step to safeguard the nation’s democratic processes from what they see as digital manipulation.

The group concluded by urging all Malawians who care about free and fair elections to join their cause and demand electoral reforms.

Their demands come amid growing public scrutiny over the role of technology in elections and fears of potential irregularities in vote tallying and data transmission.

As Malawi approaches the 16 September polls, the pressure on MEC to address these concerns continues to mount, with more citizens demanding transparency and fairness in the conduct of elections.

Concerned voters demand suspension of electronic voting system in upcoming polls

By Chisomo Phiri

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost )-A group of concerned registered voters in the country has called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to immediately suspend the use of the electronic voting system in the upcoming September 16 polls, citing concerns over its reliability.

In an interview with journalists, Edwards Kambanje, who spoke on behalf of the group at a press briefing in Blantyre on Monday, said the commission’s insistence on using the system could lead to a disputed election.

Kambanje claimed that they wrote to MEC on May 13, 2025, expressing their concerns, but received no response.

“We are now demanding the independent auditors to scrutinize the system before it is used.

“We want an election that reflects the will of the people, not one that will be marred by controversy,” he said.

Kambanje warned that if MEC refuses to reconsider their decision, they will organize nationwide demonstrations to push for a manual voting system, which they believe will restore the commission’s integrity, transparency, and accountability.