Citizens demand dourt action on national ID voting requirements

A group of concerned citizens, under the People Power Movement (PPM) and Economic Freedom Movement (EFM), held demonstrations in Lilongwe on Wednesday, 9 October 2024, calling for judicial intervention on the use of National IDs in the upcoming elections.

The demonstrators argue that ongoing challenges at the National Registration Bureau (NRB) may prevent some eligible voters from obtaining their National IDs in time, thus disenfranchising them in the voting process.

PPM leader Edward Kambanje cited inconsistencies between sections 12 and 77 of the Constitution, particularly in terms of the right to vote and the requirement to possess a National ID in order to participate in elections.

“We are asking the court to clarify which of these provisions should be invalidated to avoid contradictions,” Kambanje said.

He added that the matter should be resolved before the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) begins voter registration on 21st October 2024.

Kambanje expressed confidence in the judicial system, referencing the courts’ decisive role in nullifying the 2019 presidential election results.

“We believe the courts will act in the citizens’ favor, as they did during the 2019 presidential election case,” he stated.

Lawford Palani, Lilongwe District Commissioner, received the petition on behalf of the Judiciary, pledging to ensure it reaches the appropriate authorities.

“I commend you for holding peaceful demonstrations, and I will make sure the petition is delivered to the relevant parties,” Palani said.

The Judiciary was represented by High Court Senior Deputy Registrar during the receipt of the petition.