The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has backed the newly acquired Elections Management Devices (EMD), saying they are a better tool for ensuring credible voter registration ahead of next year’s general elections.
Mec Chairperson Judge Annabel Mtalimanja said Wednesday that the machines are designed to address the problem of multiple registration and other malpractices.
She said this in Mzuzu City, where the electoral body demonstrated how the machines work.
Those in attendance included development partners, civil society organisation (CSO) leaders, Northern Region journalists, among other stakeholders.
She said as a way of promoting transparency and accountability, Mec would soon engage information communication technology experts from political parties to ensure that they have a detailed understanding of the devices.
“We are soon going to pilot voters’ registration. As such, we will all see the machines at work. Otherwise, this machine is well protected and will help fast-track the voters’ registration process as data will be collected electronically,” Mtalimanja said.
The Mec chairperson emphasised that the new system would enable political parties to closely follow the registration process and gain a better understanding of the entire election process.
Meanwhile, Mzuzu Civil Society Network Chairperson Edward Kantuseya has expressed satisfaction with the system but urged Mec to intensify its civic education efforts.
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