Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is working on modalities before announcing dates for the extension of the first phase of the voter registration exercise for the September 16 2025 General Elections.
Last month, the commission announced that it would extend the first phase of the exercise after completing the third phase which concluded on December 11 2024.
But in an interview yesterday, MEC communications officer Richard Mveriwa dismissed concerns that MEC is delaying to set dates for the extension, saying the commission has just completed the final voter registration phase.
He said: “We cannot go into the extension of the first phase of the voter registration without planning. So, we are currently making preparations before announcing the dates.
“As for the second and third phases, the commission will issue a statement on whether it will extend or not.”
Meanwhile, temporary workers involved in the voter registration exercise have gone back to their homes, but are expected to be recalled after the commission announces dates for the extension.
The decision to extend the first phase of voter registration followed the October 25 2024 High Court ruling that ordered National Registration Bureau (NRB) to accommodate all individuals who want to get the national identity (ID) card crucial for the voter registration exercise.
Speaking in an interview, Malawi Electoral Support Network national coordinator Andrew Kachaso said much as the commission is taking time to set dates for the reopening of the first phase, it is good for commission to reflect on the registration exercise to address challenges which registrants experienced.
However, Institute of Policy Interaction project officer Praise Mwenegamba said the commission needs to be expeditious because the rains are intensifying and could render some roads impassable.
The first phase of voter registration covered Chitipa, Karonga, Karonga Town, Mzuzu City, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Salima, Dedza, Balaka, Machinga, Chiradzulu, Neno, Phalombe and Mulanje.
In the first and second phases of voter registration, MEC registered 4 646 902 voters against a projection of 7 386 214, going by National Statistical Office data.
