By Chisomo Phiri
Despite resistance from opposition Members of Parliament (MPs ), Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill amending Sections 74 and 75 of the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Act.
The amendment permits designated officials of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) including polling staff, candidates’ representatives, and security personnel to vote at their assigned polling stations.
In the house,Leader of the Opposition (LoP) George Chaponda criticized the legislation, arguing that it disproportionately benefits presidential candidates while sidelining those contesting parliamentary and local government positions.
Chaponda also questioned the timing of the amendment, saying the introduction of such changes barely a month before the elections raises serious concerns and could compromise electoral integrity.
In response,Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo commended legislators for passing the bill, asserting that it reinforces the voting rights of essential electoral officials.
However, Mvalo clarified that the changes do not extend to journalists.
Reacting to the development,Chairperson of the Civil Society Electoral Integrity Forum(CSEIF),Benedicto Kondowe,expressed mixed feelings about the bill’s passage.
He expressed concern over the continued exclusion of certain groups, including journalists and civil society observers.
Kondowe indicated that his organization plans to write to the MEC, urging it to invoke Section 67, Subsection 2 of the Act, which gives the commission discretion to consider the inclusion of such groups.
The passing of the bill follows a recent directive by president Dr.Lazarus Chakwera for the national assembly to reconvene and deliberate on the matter.
The president’s directive was issued in accordance with Section 67(4) of the Constitution, which states: “If, between the dissolution of the National Assembly and the General Election that follows, the President is of the opinion that a constitutional crisis or emergency has arisen, he may reconvene the National Assembly for that purpose alone.”
