Chisankho Watch, a coalition of four civic organizations, has raised serious concerns over a decline in voter registration numbers during the second phase of the exercise.

The coalition, which deployed 52 trained observers across 10 districts, found that the average daily registration rate dropped from 105 in the first phase to 99 in the second phase.

At a press briefing on Friday in Lilongwe, Chisankho Watch Board Chairperson Rev. Bishop Gilford Matonga expressed alarm over the figures, which he described as significantly lower than the first phase.

Matonga pointed to misinformation and disinformation as major factors deterring people from registering to vote.

“The first phase saw a slightly higher registration rate than the second phase, and that is very concerning. We believe misinformation is one of the reasons people are not coming out to register,” Matonga said.

He also expressed concern over the misuse of social programs by political agents, which he argued undermines the Malawi Political Parties Act and manipulates voters.

He confirmed that Chisankho Watch had already reached out to the political agents involved, urging them to desist from such practices.

“It amounts to voter bribery. The Political Parties Act defines how political parties must behave during elections. When social programs are linked to voter registration, it manipulates people’s voting decisions and undermines the integrity of the process,” Matonga added.

As the third phase of the voter registration exercise began on November 28, 2024, the coalition has called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to address technical and logistical issues that hindered earlier phases.

Matonga highlighted the absence of NRB officers at some registration centers and system failures that disrupted the registration process.

“NRB and MEC must collaborate to ensure their equipment works smoothly, so citizens can register without unnecessary delays. The NRB must also comply with a court order requiring its officers to be present at all registration centers,” he said.

Chisankho Watch’s second-phase findings also included challenges in accessibility for people with disabilities, with insufficient assistance at registration centers.

Additionally, there were compatibility issues between NRB-issued slips and MEC equipment, causing delays in processing registrations.

Matonga stressed the importance of better coordination between political parties, civil society organizations, and electoral bodies to ensure a lawful and ethical voter mobilization process.

He also expressed concern over missed registration opportunities in areas like Karonga, where inactivity in registration centers could have hindered outreach efforts.

Matonga called on MEC to evaluate the current registration timelines and consider revisiting unregistered areas to ensure all eligible voters are reached.

“If eligible voters are not registering, what kind of election are we holding?” he asked, urging the MEC to reconsider the approach to voter registration.

Chisankho Watch, which includes the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the Gender and Justice Unit (GJU), the Meeting Hub (mHub), and the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), aims to promote a credible, transparent, and peaceful electoral process through field observations and evidence-based recommendations.

The coalition is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).