About four opposition political parties converged for a press conference at the Golden Peacock in Lilongwe yesterday, forcing the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to suspend the voter registration exercise citing low voter turnout.

The opposition claims that the low registration turnout is primarily due to inadequate civic education and insufficient advance notice of the registration exercise.

This opinion examines the legal frameworks governing voter registration in Malawi, particularly in relation to the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act (PPLGEA), to determine whether the MEC should indeed suspend its voter registration activities.

1. The legal authority of the MEC

The MEC is mandated to conduct voter registration throughout the year leading up to an election, with a clear legal requirement to suspend registration only 60 days before polling day. With elections scheduled for September next year, the registration process has enough time to continue until early July.

2. The opposition’s argument

While the opposition’s concerns about low voter turnout are valid, their request for a suspension does not align with the legal framework. Rather than addressing the underlying issues, a suspension could hinder those already involved in the registration process and diminish the overall opportunity for voter participation.

3. Collaborative solutions

Instead of seeking a shutdown, opposition parties should work with the MEC to improve civic education efforts. This could include community outreach, workshops and increased visibility of the registration process, which can increase voter turnout without disrupting the current registration calendar.

4. Current registration process

The ongoing registration exercise is not indicated to have legal defects; rather, they face challenges in engaging the public. Therefore, suspending the registration process would unfairly penalize those who have registered and could hinder further efforts to encourage voter participation.

5. Updating the Register of Voters

The MEC has the authority to update the voter register as necessary. If there are specific community concerns or suggestions for improving registration awareness, the opposition should explore legal avenues, such as seeking a court order to enforce increased registration efforts.

6. CONCLUSION

The opposition’s request to suspend the voter registration process has no legal basis and does not take into account the established operational deadlines of the PPLGEA.

Rather than advocating for a suspension, the focus should shift to constructive engagement with MEC to boost civic education and encourage voter participation.

The MEC is legally positioned to continue its registration efforts, and maximizing this period is critical to ensuring broad voter inclusion.

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