Opposition Parties Raise Serious Concerns About the Integrity of the 2025 Electoral Process

By Burnett Munthali

As Malawi heads toward the highly anticipated 2025 general elections, key opposition parties have voiced serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. At a joint press briefing held yesterday, senior officials from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and UTM party called for immediate reforms and greater accountability from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

Among the notable figures present at the briefing were DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito, DPP Vice President for the Eastern Region Bright Msaka, DPP spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba, UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati, UDF Secretary General Genarino Lemani, AFORD Secretary General Linda Limbe, AFORD Vice President Timothy Mtambo, and other senior officials from the three parties.

Speaking at the briefing, Peter Mukhito expressed concerns about MEC’s handling of the voter registration process and its ability to ensure a free and fair election. “We are approaching these elections with serious doubts about the neutrality of MEC. The current electoral system needs to be reviewed to avoid any manipulation or undue influence,” Mukhito stated.

UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the alliance of opposition parties is united in its quest for electoral transparency. “We are all here because we believe in democracy. What we want is for MEC to correct their processes and ensure that every Malawian’s vote counts. The upcoming elections are crucial, and the people must have confidence in the process,” Kaliati remarked.

Bright Msaka of the DPP pointed out that the use of new voting technology, which MEC has proposed, could potentially be problematic without thorough vetting. “We cannot allow any system to be used that could jeopardize the outcome of the elections. MEC must explain how they intend to safeguard the credibility of this new technology,” Msaka stressed.

AFORD Vice President Timothy Mtambo highlighted the importance of independent election observers, suggesting that MEC should bring in external auditors to verify the election results, similar to past elections. “It’s worrying that MEC has so far refused to involve independent auditors to monitor the election process. This raises red flags for us, and we urge them to reconsider this position,” Mtambo said.

All parties present reiterated their commitment to working together to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and that the will of the Malawian people is respected. They called on MEC to act swiftly in addressing the issues raised and ensure that the 2025 elections are free from irregularities.

As the 2025 elections approach, the opposition’s demands for reforms are likely to continue, increasing pressure on MEC to enhance its electoral procedures and assure all stakeholders of a credible voting process.