The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has resolved to conduct supplementary registration in selected councils under the three phases where voters failed to register for the forthcoming 2025 General Elections.
In phase one, this will be done in five days in Councils targeting onlyeligible voters that registered or would have registered with the National Registration Bureau (NRB) from 21st October, 2024.
Under the second and third phases, this will be done in three Councils, targeting only eligible voters who presented themselves at voter registration centres and applied for civil registration with the NRB, but were not issued with their unique National ID number by the close of the voter registration, and were consequently unable to register as voters.
The decision was arrived at following a meeting the electoral body held on Monday, 16th December, 2024 according to a press release signed by its Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa.
This was done after reviewing the conduct of all the three Phases of voter registration exercise and Section 4 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023.
It also follows the Order and directive of the High Court in its Ruling dated 25th October 2024 in the case of George Chipwaila and Others v. Malawi Electoral Commission and Attorney General (National Registration Bureau) (Civil Cause No. 130 of 2024), regarding availability of civil registration services at voter registration centres.
MEC further informed the public that no fresh registration will be undertaken during the supplementary registration under phases 2 and 3.
“During the supplementary voter registration exercise in Phase 2 and 3, there will be no fresh civil registration by NRB at the voter registration centres. However, NRB staff will be present to provide identification and verification services for applicants that will have challenges with their proof of national registration.
“The Commission will issue specific communication regarding the dates and modalities for the supplementary voter registration exercise”. Reads the notice.
The development followed a public outcry that some prospective voters were prevented from registering due to technical hiccups by the NRB.
According to the new electoral laws approved by Parliament, only the National Identity card will be used and recognized in the voter registration process.
