Opposition political parties have moved to submit a scope of audit for the Election Management System (EMS) to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to allow an independent information and communications technology (ICT) audit of MEC’s system.
In separate interviews on Tuesday, UTM Party, People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) said they are keen to have the audit carried out and will work on providing the scope of audit to MEC.
UTM Party secretary general Willet KaRonga said the party was already working on its draft for the audit scope which, on completion, will be consolidated with those for other parties.
He said the submission will be made through the Centre for Multiparty Democracy and the expectation is that the consolidated submission will be made this week.
Said Karonga: “We are going to meet and submit. Actually we would love if that can be done in the presence of the media so that the public knows what we are requesting for.”
In a separate interview, PP secretary general Ben Chakhame said the parties do not want to handle the matter individually, hence they are planning to meet and discuss the matter.
“Definitely we are going to serve the MEC with the scope of audit. We just have to meet as parties and discuss,” he said.
UDF secretary general Genarino Lemani said their position still remains that there is need for an audit and want to see the audit done.
He said the scope that MEC is requesting for will be submitted with the hope that MEC will respond as soon as possible.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Party secretary general Peter Mukhito was not immediately available for comment, but last week he also indicated that the party was ready to submit the scope of audit.
MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court of Malawi, on April 30 2025 said no political party had submitted a scope of audit despite the commission advising the parties that it was a prerequisite for the electoral body to make an informed decision on their request.
In a letter dated March 19 2025 signed by Mtalimanja, copied to secretaries general of Aford, DPP, UDF and UTM Party, MEC requested for the scope of audit in response to concerns by parties with the handling of the electoral process.
Malawi will hold general election on September 16 2025. Government has allocated K162.9 billion in the 2025-2026 financial year for MEC to manage the polls.
