| [Malawi] MEC Holds Postmortem Review of Pilot Voter Registration |
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| Last updated 2024-09-27 |
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In preparation for the 2025 General Elections, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) held a critical postmortem review of the Pilot Voter Registration exercise in Mponela. The
event, which brought together Commissioners, MEC and National registration Bureau
(NRB) and Smartmatic staff, highlighted the commission's commitment to refining
the voter registration process and ensuring a free, fair, and credible
election. During
the meeting, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja,
the Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission, delivered her opening
remarks, focusing on the significance of the pilot exercise.
The MEC Chairperson expressed gratitude to the commissioners, MEC staff, and all stakeholders involved, noting that the success of the pilot was a result of a collective effort.
Justice
Mtalimanja described the pilot voter registration as a "milestone,"
stating that it had provided invaluable insights into the strengths and
weaknesses of MEC's systems, technology, and logistical arrangements.
"This
exercise served as a testing ground for our systems, our technology, and our
logistical arrangements, providing us with essential insights into what we need
to improve ahead of the upcoming national voter registration and ultimately the
2025 General Elections," she said.
She
further emphasized the importance of the voter registration process, noting
that it forms the foundation for the credibility of the entire electoral
system.
Justice
Mtalimanja assured all stakeholders that the Commission would not relent in its
efforts to refine and perfect the systems in place to ensure the integrity of
the elections. "We
are determined to rise to the challenge. Our mission is to ensure that every
eligible citizen has the opportunity to register and vote, and that the process
is conducted with the highest level of integrity," she said.
The
MEC Chief
Elections Officer, Mr. Andrew Mpesi, in his
welcome remarks, reinforced the critical role of teamwork and hard work as the Commission
prepares for the 2025 General Election.
He
commended the dedication of the staff and Commissioners during the pilot phase
and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration as they move forward.
"The
success of these upcoming efforts will depend on our ability to continue
supporting one another and pulling in the same direction," he remarked.
Mr.
Mpesi also stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism and
non-partisanship among MEC staff, noting that their neutrality is key to
delivering credible elections.
"Our
role is to serve the Malawian people impartially, ensuring that the electoral
process is free, transparent, and credible," he said, urging the staff to
uphold these values as the country heads toward the 2025 elections.
As
the meeting progressed, attendees discussed the lessons learned from the pilot
exercise and explored areas for improvement. MEC officials, alongside
representatives from the National Registration Bureau and election technology
supplier Smartmatic, shared technical insights and operational feedback from
the pilot, which will be essential in refining voter registration systems ahead
of the national rollout.
Both
the Chairperson and the CEO called on stakeholders to engage fully in the
review process, offering constructive feedback to enhance the voter
registration exercise. "Our success in delivering credible elections in
2025 depends on the collaborative effort we put in today," Justice
Mtalimanja concluded.
As the postmortem review wraps up, the commission is expected to apply the lessons learned to improve the efficiency and transparency of the national voter registration process. |