MEC satisfied with performance of voting devices

Mtalimanja: we are satisfied
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Elections Management Devices (EMDs) during the pilot voter registration, which took place last month in eight District Councils: Chitipa, Dedza, Balaka, Neno, Nsanje, Lilongwe, and Blantyre.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Annabel Mtalimanja, informed stakeholders in Lilongwe during the National Elections Consultative Forum (NECOF), where she updated electoral stakeholders on the outcome of the pilot registration phase.
According to Mtalimanja, the Elections Management Devices (EMDs) performed to the satisfaction of the Commission, and she noted that during the actual voter registration, the machines will work even better, as they are being fine-tuned to address some minor challenges faced during the pilot phase.
She further highlighted that the system proved highly effective, ensuring that no one can register multiple times.
“As the Commission, we are satisfied with the performance of the EMDs and have identified areas of improvement for the smooth conduct of voter registration, whose first phase starts later this month,” said Mtalimanja.
However, Mtalimanja noted that the pilot phase encountered several challenges, such as the sensitivity of EMDs to certain photo settings, minimal civic and voter education in some areas, which affected the mobilization campaign, and misconceptions about the purpose of the pilot voter registration.
“These challenges showed us the need for more comprehensive civic education and greater involvement from stakeholders, including political parties, chiefs, and civil society organizations,” she added.
Meanwhile, the MEC Chair has clarified that the results of the pilot phase do not provide an indication of whether there will be voter apathy, as the aim of the exercise was to ascertain the functionality of the new equipment, not to gauge participation.
The Commission has confirmed that the voter registration, set to begin later this month, will be conducted in three phases, with registration materials to be dispatched to the councils on the 14th and 15th of the month.
Additionally, the MEC Chairperson has assured political parties and other stakeholders that there will be no data integration between the Commission and the National Registration Bureau during the voter registration process.
However, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has expressed reservations about the Commission’s response to its call for external auditors to verify data during registration and vote tallying.
DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito emphasized that external monitors are critical to ensuring credible, free, and fair elections.
“External auditors have been used by the Commission before, and we are wondering why the same Commission seems uninterested this time around.
“We will continue to engage the Commission on this matter, and we believe MEC will see reason to adopt our proposal,” said Mukhito.