By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the Eastern Region, Bright Msaka, has emphasized that the issue of elections is crucial, and he is committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to vote. Msaka made this statement while reading a document jointly issued by opposition parties, including the DPP, United Transformation Movement (UTM), and Alliance for Democracy (AFORD).
Msaka highlighted that universal voter participation is a fundamental pillar of democracy. “We must ensure that everyone has a chance to vote. This is not just about political competition but about strengthening the democratic rights of our people,” he stated. His comments come amid growing debate over voter registration rules ahead of the upcoming elections.
Last week, Malawi’s High Court dismissed a request from the DPP, which sought a review of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)’s policy that only citizens with a national ID would be eligible to register to vote. The DPP argued that this policy could disenfranchise many potential voters who do not yet have national IDs due to delays in the issuance process.
However, the court ruled that revisiting MEC’s decision would likely cause unnecessary delays, especially given the heavy caseload facing the judiciary. The judges noted that the electoral laws are clear about the registration requirements, and the court should not interfere in what it deemed to be an administrative decision of MEC.
Despite the court’s ruling, Msaka reiterated his party’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left out of the voting process. He pointed to the joint statement with UTM and AFORD as a sign of broad political consensus that the current system needs reform to guarantee inclusivity. “As a party, we will continue to explore other avenues to ensure that the right to vote is protected for all Malawians,” Msaka added.
UTM and AFORD have also echoed similar concerns, calling for reforms in the voter registration process. These parties argue that MEC’s reliance on national ID cards for voter registration may lead to many citizens being excluded from voting, particularly those in rural areas where access to registration centres is limited.
The opposition parties’ stance reflects a broader concern in Malawi’s political landscape, where questions of access to registration and the transparency of the electoral process are often contentious issues. As the country prepares for the next election cycle, it remains to be seen whether these calls for reform will result in any changes to the voter registration process.
For now, MEC has stated that it remains confident in its voter registration policies and will continue with preparations for the upcoming elections in line with existing electoral laws. Nevertheless, opposition parties, led by figures like Bright Msaka, are determined to keep the conversation about voter inclusivity at the forefront of Malawi’s political agenda.
