High court rejects bid to block MEC’s national ID requirement for voter registration
The High Court in Blantyre has refused to grant an injunction to five citizens who sought to block the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) from using the National Identity Card as the sole form of identification for voter registration.
Presiding over the case, Justice Mandala Mambulasa ruled that the MEC’s reliance on the National ID aligns with the law and does not violate voter eligibility provisions in the Constitution.
Justice Mambulasa clarified that section 12 of the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Act merely establishes a “standardized method” for verifying a voter’s eligibility and does not impose additional restrictions.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining an objective verification process, stating that “integrity in the electoral process is preserved through a unified standard,” as outlined in the Act.
The court further concluded that allowing the MEC to rely solely on National IDs is consistent with its mandate to conduct elections fairly and transparently.
Acknowledging the plaintiffs’ concerns about access to the National ID, Justice Mambulasa directed the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to provide additional support, particularly for citizens facing obstacles in acquiring an ID.
He advised that “no eligible voter should be disenfranchised due to lack of access,” underscoring the right to vote as central to Malawi’s democratic process.
Meanwhile, both parties have expressed gratitude for the outcome of the case.
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