Prisoners have queried the benefit they derive from voting, citing lack of commitment by politicians in addressing their welfare; hence, claimed that voting does not benefit them instead of the political “elite”.
The concerns were raised on Friday when the Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (Chreaa) went to conduct a voter and civic education campaign at Blantyre Prison, commonly known as Chichiri Prison, ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election.
During a plenary, some of the prisoners said they see no benefit in voting, arguing that they do not see any direct benefit from it, especially with their incarceration status.
They also argued that candidates, especially those vying for the presidency, have not mentioned anything in their manifestos pertaining to addressing their welfare.
This is apart from failing to find means on how best they can engage them without contravening the law.
As such, the prisoners argued that voting would only give power to individuals that would be concerned about their own lives and others they deem important, and continue neglecting them.
In the midst of the debate, the prisoners were also oriented on electoral processes and how best they can make informed choices through casting votes. The prisoners also raised queries, among others, loss of national identity cards, voting slips and voter registration which some conducted prior to their incarceration.
They were also made to listen to campaign messages from candidates who are competing in the election within the jurisdiction that Blantyre Prison falls under.
A representative of the prisoners, Shoeus Kachotsa urged his colleagues to vote, saying it remains their constitutional right which has power to shape the country’s direction.
He said: “Indeed there are a lot of things that we want to see happen, including an improvement in our welfare. So, let’s use September 16 as a day when we can help make those changes.”
Kachotsa further appealed to the prisoners to digest messages they listened to during the event and make informed decisions in regards to the voting day.
In an interview after the event, Chreaa executive director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango bemoaned an information gap pertaining to civic and voter education in prisons.
He said this was one of the reasons that compelled Chreaa to go to the prison and conduct the civic and voter education exercise and as an accredited organisation to conduct the same by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Mhango, however, counterargued the prisoners’ claims that they do not benefit from voting. He said prisoners can help shape the country by exercising their constitutional right to vote, as such, stressed that their vote is valued.
He further argued that prisoner’s votes also have potential to change the lives of their families who are outside prisons.
“Whatever happens in Malawi, politicians take centre stage. It’s just unfortunate that they made the sentiments or have some perceptions out of anger,” he said.
“Prisoners are human beings and we believe that they can also shape the country by voting. Their vote is valued.”
In a separate interview, Blantyre Prison Officer-in-Charge Owen Maharawipha Levi, who is also Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, said it is important for prisoners to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
He said prisoners are also important in shaping the future of the country through the ballot. He, therefore, commended Chreaa for civic educating the prisoners on the forthcoming September poll.
He said: “We all know that prisoners are a group of people that have restricted movements, they don’t attend political meetings that are happening out there. Now, Chreaa coming here with their messages on the election is important.”
He further said the facility is allowing organisations to civic educate the prisoners on the electoral processes and that they are also using its cultural troupe to sensitise the incarcerated individuals.
Malawi will go to the polls on September 16 2025 to elect a President, members of Parliament and councillors. Currently, candidates are on a campaign trail wooing registered voters.
MEC registration figures show that 7.2 million people registered to vote, representing 65.7 percent of the projected 10.9 million eligible population that would be 18 years by the time of polling based on National Statistical Office projections.
