By Burnett Munthali
Honourable Kamplepo Kalua has issued a strong warning to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), calling out its lack of transparency concerning the electronic registration and verification machines set to be used in the upcoming September 16 elections.
Kalua expressed alarm over MEC’s refusal to grant access to independent ICT professionals to verify the software installed on the new machines.
He emphasized that transparency is a constitutional duty, and questioned why MEC appears to be shielding the technology from public scrutiny.
Kalua suggested that the software may have been designed to favor a specific political party — a possibility that, in his view, justifies the Commission’s secrecy.
In pursuit of the truth, Kalua’s team contacted the original manufacturers of the electronic voting system equipment.
The information they received — including manufacturing dates and serial numbers — only heightened concerns about the machines’ potential misuse.
Drawing parallels from international examples, Kalua noted that the electronic voting system previously been linked to controversial election outcomes in countries like Venezuela, Mozambique, and parts of the United States.
He anchored his argument on constitutional grounds, starting with Section 4, which vests all governing power in the people.
He also pointed to Section 6, which demands that public officials act transparently and in the public interest.
Kalua criticized MEC Chairperson Annabelle Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi for denying access to a publicly funded system intended to ensure credible elections.
He reminded the public that the machines were initially introduced to assist with registration, verification, and vote transmission — not to operate under a veil of secrecy.
According to Section 12(1) of the Constitution, every Malawian has the right to participate equally in the democratic process.
Kalua warned that MEC’s actions are not only unethical, but may also be unconstitutional, specifically violating Section 5, which nullifies any act inconsistent with the Constitution.
He accused the Commission of preparing the ground for electoral manipulation, risking political instability in the process.
Kalua urged Malawians to stand up for peace, justice, and democracy, and to reject any form of electoral interference.
He appealed to law enforcement not to intimidate citizens who exercise their rights under Section 34 — the right to assemble and express views freely.
He further cited Section 37, which guarantees public access to information — a right that, he stressed, extends to the technology and its operations.
Kalua insisted that MEC leaders must answer for their actions and called for accountability even among judges and police officers who fail to uphold the Constitution.
Referencing Section 36, which affirms every citizen’s right to legal redress, he vowed that Malawians would not allow the use of any system that undermines electoral integrity.
He concluded by drawing attention to the state of Michigan in the U.S., where public pressure forced authorities to abandon similar voting machines and revert to manual voting systems.
Kalua reaffirmed his dedication to defending Malawi’s democracy, and pledged to fight against any attempt to compromise the legitimacy of the 2025 elections.
