Date: 24th July, 2023
In a significant step towards ensuring a successful General Election in 2025, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation and collaboration. The ceremony, was held at Ministry of Homeland Security, at the Capital Hill,
Minister of Homeland Security, Hon Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, emphasized the importance of the renewed MOU while clarifying that MEC and NRB would remain distinct institutions with separate mandates. He said the MOU serves as a formal agreement between the two entities, outlining their cooperative efforts in implementing the operational aspects of voters' registration.
Addressing public concerns regarding NRB's service delivery, the Minister assured that steps were being taken to improve the registration process, including the timely issuance of national identity cards. He committed to personally overseeing that NRB adheres to its stated timelines and implements an efficient and unbiased national ID outreach registration exercise for all eligible citizens.
In his speech, Dr Chifundo Kachale, the MEC Chairperson, underscored the importance of closer ties between MEC and NRB, with the 2025 tripartite elections drawing near. The Chairperson acknowledged that challenges may arise, but with vigilant planning and preparation, they can be effectively managed.
“One critical element in holding a credible election is the accuracy and completeness of the voters' register. 2019 and 2020 elections we had the best voter register ever because we successfully migrated to a biometric voter registration system. The biometrics of all voters were captured by the NRB. . This accomplishment was largely attributed to the seamless coordination and collaboration between MEC and NRB, guided by the first MOU signed in 2017” said Kachale
Both the MEC Chairperson and the Minister stressed the mutual benefits of the collaboration between the two institutions and called upon all officials involved to uphold their responsibilities diligently. Recognizing the significance of the national ID as the primary identification document in Malawi, they emphasized the need to safeguard the strides made by NRB and to support its ongoing innovations.