National IDs will not replace voter certificates – MEC

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has trashed claims that Malawians will vote using National Identity Cards (IDs.)

This comes after the local media reported that Malawians are to vote using National IDs hence will not need voter certificates during the 2019 elections.

In a press release, the electoral body denied the reports that it is planning a collaboration with the National Registration Bureau(MRB) on bio metric voter registration.

The commission said during the 2019 elections it will still issue voter certificates which will remain the sole document for identification of voters during polling.

The statement further said that the Malawi Electoral Commission will still be required to conduct its own voter registration to come up with the voters’ roll which helps in planning for ballot papers for each polling station.

However, during voter registration to be conducted by MEC, registrants will be required to produce their National IDs issued by NRB for identification.

According to the statement, the working relationship between MEC and NRB was mooted to harness synergies after consultants Africore recommended MEC to work with NRB as the former plans to conduct a biometric voter registration ahead of the 2019 elections while the latter intends to conduct nationwide civil registration.