LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Civil society organisations in Malawi have raised concerns that more than 50,000 eligible voters may be disenfranchised in the upcoming September 16, 2025, general elections due to a restrictive electoral law.

The organisations argue that Section 74 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, which requires voters to cast their ballots at their designated registration centres, is unfair to certain groups of people.

According to the law, voters are only allowed to vote at the polling station where they are registered or have been transferred to.

However, this provision poses a challenge to individuals who may be stationed away from their registration centres on polling day due to work or other commitments.

Groups such as police officers, journalists, polling staff, and monitors may be forced to choose between fulfilling their duties or exercising their right to vote.

“We feel there should have been an arrangement to accommodate them to vote,” said Benedicto Kondowe, chairperson of the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) and National Advocacy Platform (NAP). Kondowe was reading a joint statement on behalf of CSEIF, NAP, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), and Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC).

In light of this issue, the civil society organisations have written to the President, requesting a special session of Parliament to review the law and ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their right to vote without hindrance.

The letter has also been copied to key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, Leader of Government Business, Leader of Opposition, presidents of all registered political parties, and the Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson.

The organisations hope that a timely review of the law will prevent the disenfranchisement of thousands of Malawians and ensure that the upcoming elections are inclusive and credible.