By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Presidential Advisor on Elections, Jean Mathanga, has joined the chorus of party leaders voicing concerns over the use of national identity cards as the sole form of identification for next year’s tripartite elections. Speaking at the party’s press conference on Thursday, Mathanga emphasized the importance of ensuring all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate, regardless of whether they possess a national ID.
Mathanga expressed concern that many eligible voters may be disenfranchised if the government insists on using only national IDs for voter verification. She noted that not all Malawians have obtained national identity cards, and relying solely on them for the voting process could block thousands from exercising their constitutional right.
“We must not let the national ID be the only document used for identification in the elections. It will exclude many eligible voters who, for various reasons, may not have their IDs,” Mathanga stated. “This is a violation of their democratic right to vote.”
She urged the government and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to consider alternative forms of identification for the upcoming elections, such as voter registration cards or other official documents, to ensure no one is left out of the electoral process.
In her remarks, Mathanga also encouraged Malawians to actively participate in the upcoming voter registration exercise, which is expected to begin later this month. She stressed that registering to vote is a crucial step for citizens to have a say in next year’s elections and to shape the future of the country.
“I urge all Malawians to take the voter registration exercise seriously. Make sure you register when the time comes so that you can exercise your right to vote next year. This is your opportunity to be heard and make a difference,” she added.
The issue of voter identification has become a major talking point as the 2025 tripartite elections draw closer. Opposition parties, including the DPP, have raised concerns that limiting identification to national IDs may disproportionately affect marginalized populations, such as those in rural areas or those who have faced difficulties in obtaining an ID.
Mathanga’s comments come as part of the DPP’s broader efforts to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections in 2025. The party has been vocal in calling for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process, while also emphasizing the need to remove barriers to participation.
The Malawi Electoral Commission has yet to respond to these concerns but has indicated that preparations for the 2025 tripartite elections are well underway.
 Presidential Advisor on Elections, Jean Mathanga, has joined the chorus of party leaders voicing concerns over the use of national identity cards…){kind=link}