MEC Begins Voter Registration Amid Low Turnout Concerns
By Abdullah Bamusi Nankumba and Edward Rex
As Malawi gears up for the crucial 2025 tripartite elections, the voter registration process has officially commenced in several districts across the country. In this election, Malawians will cast their votes for the president, members of parliament, and local councillors.
According to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, voter registration is currently underway in districts such as Karonga, Karonga Town, and Mzuzu City in the northern region; Dedza, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, and Salima in the central region; and Machinga, Phalombe, Mulanje, and Neno in the southern region.
In Dedza’s Linthipe Constituency, at Mgunda Dzuwa Full Primary School, MEC official Aminah Dissie revealed that only 267 voters had registered within the first two days. This low turnout has raised concerns, particularly in regions where higher participation rates were anticipated.
Dissie attributed the low numbers to limited sensitization efforts by MEC and the failure of political parties to effectively mobilize their supporters. This has prompted calls for increased efforts to encourage citizens to register and participate in the democratic process.
In response to these challenges, the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has ramped up efforts to boost voter awareness and engagement. NICE has reiterated the importance of voter registration, urging all eligible Malawians to participate.
Grace Hara, Public Relations and Communications Officer for NICE, emphasized voter registration as a critical step in empowering citizens to shape Malawi’s future. In an interview, Hara stated, “This is a crucial initiative to empower all eligible citizens across Malawi to participate in shaping the future of the country’s democracy.”
NICE’s campaign complements MEC’s efforts, addressing gaps in sensitization and mobilization to ensure that more citizens register to vote.
Meanwhile, the Agenda for Muslim Transformation (AMT) has called on Muslims across the country to register in large numbers. National Coordinator for AMT, Abdus-Salaam Faduweck, emphasized the importance of participating in the voter registration process, urging Muslims and all citizens to seize the opportunity to exercise their right to choose their leaders.
Faduweck, quoted by Television Islam, highlighted that the responsibility of electing good leaders lies in the hands of the citizens. He encouraged the Muslim community to engage in clean politics, free from violence and character assassination, as the elections approach.
The first phase of voter registration began on October 21, 2024, and will run until the end of the month. The second phase is scheduled from November 9 to 22, with the final phase running from November 28 to December 11.
As Malawi moves toward the general elections on September 16, 2025, ensuring broad and inclusive voter participation has become a top priority. The recent redemarcation exercise, which increased constituencies from 193 to 229 and wards from 462 to 503, highlights the importance of the registration process in shaping the country’s electoral landscape.
MEC remains confident that voter registration numbers will significantly improve as the process
