In a rare joint assertion, former Presidents Bakili Muluzi, Joyce Banda, and Peter Mutharika have known as on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to urgently revisit its choice to make use of Smartmatic, the controversial election administration expertise supplier, for the 2025 General Elections.

The name comes amid rising public unrest over the dealing with of voter registration and election preparedness, with mounting considerations that using Smartmatic may compromise the integrity of the upcoming polls.

The former leaders, who characterize a broad cross-section of Malawi’s political historical past, have demanded that MEC rethink its choice to undertake the Smartmatic system, citing widespread mistrust and questions surrounding the expertise’s transparency and effectiveness. Their assertion follows weeks of protests and growing opposition dissatisfaction with the electoral course of.

A Call for Electoral Integrity

In their assertion, the three former presidents stated the choice to make use of Smartmatic has brought on appreciable public outcry, with many questioning the transparency of the system. “The use of Smartmatic in the upcoming elections is a matter of grave concern,” stated the joint assertion, launched on November 15, 2024. “There are legitimate concerns that the system could be manipulated or fail to deliver credible results. Given the high stakes of the 2025 elections, we urge the Malawi Electoral Commission to review this decision in the interest of ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.”

The name from Muluzi, Banda, and Mutharika echoes rising fears inside each the political and civil society sectors that Smartmatic’s involvement may undermine the legitimacy of the electoral course of. Opposition events and civil society teams have raised alarms over the opacity of the settlement between MEC and Smartmatic, which they argue has not been topic to enough scrutiny or public debate.

Trust Deficit and Voter Confidence

The former leaders additionally linked the Smartmatic controversy to broader considerations about voter registration. They argued that the choice to proceed with Smartmatic, mixed with the continuing challenges in voter registration—particularly the National Registration Bureau’s (NRB) failure to concern ID playing cards to eligible residents—has led to a “crisis of confidence” within the electoral system.

“The National Registration Bureau must immediately comply with the court ruling mandating its presence at all registration centers and ensure that every eligible citizen receives their Nzika [citizenship] card without delay,” the assertion learn.

This failure has resulted in widespread voter suppression, particularly in rural areas, the place many eligible voters nonetheless lack the mandatory documentation to register. With fewer than 5 months left till the elections, many worry that the delays in issuing voter IDs may disenfranchise massive swathes of the citizens, significantly younger voters and first-time voters.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

The Smartmatic deal has raised eyebrows resulting from its lack of transparency. The choice was made regardless of widespread skepticism concerning the corporate’s monitor file in different African nations. Critics argue that the absence of a transparent, public rationalization of the contractual phrases, together with the dearth of unbiased oversight, is undermining belief within the electoral course of.

A supply throughout the opposition political events, who spoke on situation of anonymity, expressed frustration over the dearth of significant engagement by MEC on this concern. “Smartmatic was chosen without proper consultation or explanation. The public deserves to know how this decision was made and why it was chosen over other options,” the supply stated.

The absence of clear solutions concerning the phrases of the contract has fueled suspicions concerning the motivations behind the deal, with some accusing the electoral fee of working in tandem with the federal government to rig the elections in favor of the ruling get together.

Growing Political Pressure and Public Unrest

The controversy surrounding the Smartmatic deal, mixed with the failure to make sure common voter registration, has fueled rising unrest forward of the elections. The opposition, civil society teams, and abnormal residents have been vocal of their considerations, with a number of protests held previously month.

On November 13, 2024, opposition events organized a protest in Lilongwe to voice their dissatisfaction with the MEC and NRB’s dealing with of the electoral course of. The peaceable demonstration turned violent when armed people allegedly affiliated with the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) attacked protestors. The police, who had been current on the scene, didn’t intervene, resulting in additional accusations of partisan conduct by the safety forces.

The former presidents, of their assertion, condemned the violence, calling it “an assault on democracy,” and known as for the instant prosecution of these accountable. But additionally they linked the violence to the broader political local weather, which they are saying has been exacerbated by the electoral mismanagement.

Calls for Reform and Accountability

Beyond the demand for MEC to revisit its choice on Smartmatic, the previous leaders have known as for the federal government to handle the systemic points which have led to the electoral disaster. They have particularly urged President Lazarus Chakwera and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to publicly distance themselves from the violence and make sure that such acts don’t go unpunished.

Furthermore, they’ve known as for better accountability from MEC and NRB, urging each establishments to handle the considerations raised by opposition events and civil society. “It is crucial that these institutions act in the best interests of the Malawian people and ensure that the 2025 elections are conducted in a manner that is transparent, free from manipulation, and free from any form of voter suppression,” the assertion concluded.

The Way Forward: A Call for Electoral Reform

As the 2025 General Elections draw nearer, the strain on MEC and the federal government to revive public belief within the electoral course of is intensifying. With political tensions operating excessive and the citizens more and more disillusioned with the present system, the demand for reform is louder than ever.

It is obvious that Malawi is at a crossroads. If the federal government and electoral establishments fail to handle these considerations and take concrete motion to make sure a good and clear election, the implications could possibly be far-reaching. A breakdown in electoral integrity not solely dangers the legitimacy of the 2025 elections but additionally threatens the very foundations of Malawi’s democracy.

The name for a evaluation of the Smartmatic deal is only one half of a bigger, pressing demand for electoral reforms that should be acted upon swiftly. The time for transparency, accountability, and significant reform is now. For the sake of the nation’s democracy, the federal government should take instant steps to handle the considerations raised by the previous presidents and all stakeholders concerned within the electoral course of.

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