MEC Holds Postmortem Review of Pilot Voter Registration

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.