Making every voter count

W

hen Gabriel Luzu of Mwalala Village, Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi District, went to vote in the 2014 Tripartite Elections, he endured  a terrible experience.

While queuing to vote, a security officer called his name and stopped him from going in a certain direction at the polling station. Being a person with hearing impairment, the voter did not know that the officer was summoning him.

Luzu recalls: “The police officer thought that I was rude or deliberately ignoring him. He hit me hard.”

The man, who had previously voted in 2004 and 2009, cast his ballot despite the unpleasant experience.

However, he has never voted again since then.

He hopes to vote again on September 16 2025 when Malawians will go to the polls to elect president, members of Parliament and ward councillors.

Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (Macoda) public relations officer Harriet Kachimanga says physical accessibility to voter registration and polling stations remain a barrier for persons with disabilities.

She says many polling stations are not equipped to accommodate persons with mobility impairments.

Kachimanga mentioned lack of accessible pathways, special polling booths and braille materials for persons with visual impairments as some of the challenges.

She states: “There is also a prevalent lack of awareness and understanding of the voting rights of persons with disabilities among electoral officials, which leads to discriminatory practices or inadequate support during the voting process.

“Social stigma and negative perceptions about the capabilities of persons with disabilities often discourage them from participating in the electoral process. These challenges not only hinder their ability to vote but also their right to fully engage in the democratic process.”

The Persons with Disabilities Act of 2024 affirms persons with disabilities’ right to participate in political and public life, including voting and being elected into political office.

The law requires Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to provide appropriate voting procedures, materials and facilities that are accessible and easy to use for persons with disabilities.

It also obligates MEC to make voter registration centres and polling stations accessible to all by providing persons with disabilities with necessary assistive products and services to exercise their right to vote.

Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Malawi signed, underscores the need for States Parties to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to vote like any other person.

MEC has accredited 116 organisations, including those working with persons with disabilities, to conduct voter awareness in preparation for next year’s tripartite election.

During voter registration, eligible voters are required to state if they have any disabilities that may require special assistance during voting, MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja said.

This is the first time for the commission to implement a procedure that identifies persons with any disabilities during voter registration.

“We believe this will help all people with disabilities to go to their centres to vote and get everything they need to cast their votes properly,” she said.

Luzu is currently the programme officer for Tamva Friends for the Deaf, which has been accredited to provide voter and civic education to people ahead of the elections.

“This is a progressive step,” he says.

Luzu is now looking forward to participating in the elections and encouraging other persons with disabilities to do the same following the step MEC has taken to identify persons with disabilities right from the voter registration process.

He, however, wants MEC to train polling staff and security officers to help persons with disabilities, including hidden ones, with respect and dignity.

“MEC can go as far as hiring people with disabilities so that other staff members can learn internally through working together,” he said.

Kachimanga said allowing individuals to indicate their disabilities during voter registration would enable electoral authorities to plan and allocate resources effectively, ensuring that the necessary accommodations and support services are in place at polling stations.

She added that the council is working closely with MEC and various organisations of persons with disabilities on the operationalisation of this arrangement to ensure that the measures not only meet legal requirements but also genuinely reflect the needs and rights of all voters.

She said: “Macoda strongly believes that through this way, no eligible voter with a disability will be disenfranchised.”