Legal affairs committee backs call to amend PPLGE Act

The Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs has backed calls by stakeholders to amend the electoral law to allow Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)-deployed staff and other civil servants to vote on polling day. This follows a meeting held on Monday at Parliament in Lilongwe where six stakeholders presented concerns about the current law, which restricts voting strictly to the center where a voter registered, a situation that risks disenfranchising over 80,000 people in the 2025 elections as disclosed by MEC. Committee Chairperson Dr. Albert Mbawala emphasized the importance of upholding the right to vote, saying deliberations will help create space to review and possibly amend the bill. He also downplayed concerns over the cost implications, stressing that legal matters must take priority. MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja said the proposals presented will help prepare adequately for polling day but noted the need to limit changes to safeguard electoral integrity. On his part, Civil Society Integrity Forum Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe highlighted the need for more thorough scrutiny of proposed bills, citing past oversight challenges in Parliament. Meanwhile, Parliament is expected to reconvene on August 5 to review the law governing Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections, according to Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye.