Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) failed to absorb K10 billion of its allocated budget for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year, according to a Mid-Year Budget Review.
This is amid reports that the pollster owed police and other stakeholders payment arrears following the voter registration exercise.
Government allocated K44.7 billion to MEC which only utilised K34.5 billion.
The Mid-Year Budget Review document raises concerns about the potential impact of the funding gap on MEC’s operations as the 2025 election approaches.
But MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said in an interview there were no funding gaps despite documents showing slow absorption.
“MEC received all the funding it requested and required for its activities for voter registration. There was no gap,” he said.
On arrears they owe voter registration staff, Mwafulirwa attributed it to technical hitches during deployment.
“Security officers were supposed to be deployed two per centre, but in some instances, more than the number required was dispatched, requiring reconciliation. This has taken time.
“In Kasungu, for instance, there are still officers complaining of non-payment in phase two because reconciliation is complex,” he said.
Ministry of Finance spokesperson Williams Banda said the low absorption was due to delayed procurement processes at MEC.
“Resources will, therefore, be spent in the second half once the due processes are completed,” he said.
He emphasised that the disbursement to MEC was up to date and clarified the low absorption did not reflect a funding deficit.
“Government is committed to financing the upcoming general elections as demonstrated by the resources provided so far.
“We are, however, appealing to partners for continued support towards the remaining election activities,” he stated.
In his reaction, People’s Party general secretary Ben Chakhame said they believe MEC has enough resources to manage the election.
“We have been meeting with MEC and it assured us funding is not a problem. If this low absorption contradicts what they have been telling political parties, then it is unfortunate,” he added.
