MEC dodges electronic results transmission

Despite investing billions in elections management devices (EDMs) to transmit ballot results electronically, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will stick to manual transmission to prevent manipulation.

Commissioner Richard Chapweteka was speaking when receiving the final consignment of the EDMs from China at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Friday.

He said Malawians are yet to embrace electronic ballot results transmission.

Chapweteka said: “There are trust issues when it comes to elections. We find it difficult for the time being and I don’t think Malawians are ready to accept that.”

EMDs are portable state of the art devices which will be used to conduct voter registration, transfer of voters, inspection of the voters’ register, nomination of candidates and management of results.

He hinted that MEC will eventually switch to electronic voter transmission in the future as the public might have a better understanding.

EMDs will replace the Biometric Voter Registration Kits used in 2019 and 2020 elections.

The arrival of the last consignment of 720 means MEC has shipped in its 6 500 EMDs, setting it on a path towards the start of the electoral process with voter registration in September.