“Electoral matters are not for drama,” warns former MEC Commissioner Dr. Anthony John Mukumbwa. “If mishandled, they can cause civil war.”
With these sobering words, Mukumbwa—a seasoned electoral expert and one of the architects behind Malawi’s adoption of the Smartmatic system—has broken his silence, issuing a stern warning to political players fanning fears ahead of the 2025 elections.
As a growing chorus of opposition voices demands the cancellation of the Smartmatic electronic voter system, Mukumbwa has stepped in to dismantle what he describes as “misguided, dangerous, and politically motivated propaganda” that risks plunging the country into chaos.
“This is no longer just about Smartmatic,” he said. “It’s about an orchestrated campaign to destroy public trust in the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and pre-emptively discredit the 2025 elections.”
The statement comes on the heels of a press conference by a group calling itself Concerned Registered Voters, who—without presenting concrete evidence—accused MEC of refusing to respond to their grievances and threatened mass protests unless the commission abandons the Smartmatic platform.
But insiders and former officials say these are not organic concerns from voters; rather, they are calculated distractions driven by political survival, especially from embattled opposition figures who fear that a credible election spells permanent political exile—and possible legal consequences.
Apart from being a MEC Commissioner, Dr. Mukumbwa is a seasoned expert in corporate governance, internal audit, fraud examination, and risk management. He has provided consultancy services across both public and private sectors, contributing to the strengthening of institutional frameworks and accountability mechanisms in Malawi.
Dr. Mukumbwa says the uproar over Smartmatic is not only misinformed but also calculated to sow distrust and chaos ahead of the crucial polls.
“MEC was very transparent. All political parties, CSOs and stakeholders were fully involved in the procurement process. No objections were raised, and all procedures were followed, including those required by the PPDA,” Mukumbwa emphasized in a strongly worded statement.
During a press conference held earlier on Monday at Nkhwazi Lodge in Blantyre, the so called Concerned Registered Voters—led by political figures Steve Chimwaza, Edwards Kambanje, and Billy Banda—accused MEC of ignoring public concerns and pushed for the immediate withdrawal of the Smartmatic system.
“We wrote to MEC on May 13 with our concerns. They deliberately chose not to respond,” said Kambanje. “This shows that MEC is not willing to engage the public transparently.”
The group also demanded that independent auditors be granted access to MEC systems before polling day, threatening nationwide demonstrations if the commission does not revert to a manual voting system.
However, observers note that this campaign bears striking resemblance to a previously leaked plan attributed to a coalition of opposition parties—including the DPP, AFORD and UDF—to destabilize the electoral process. As reported by The Pangolin Online earlier this month, the plan included orchestrated civil society briefings, protests, and ultimately, nationwide chaos as a pretext to delegitimize the elections.
In his detailed rebuttal, Mukumbwa pulled no punches in accusing some political stakeholders of using electoral misinformation as a weapon to discredit the commission and derail democracy.
“These allegations are not based on facts but pure politics. No one can rig the system the way it is designed. Voter suppression, ghost entries, or tampering with results are virtually impossible under the current setup,” he said.
Mukumbwa explained that Malawi’s voting process remains paper-based and features a comprehensive audit trail. Smartmatic’s role, he clarified, is strictly limited to voter registration, verification, and nomination management—not the actual counting or result transmission.
In an unrelated but thematically aligned speech delivered at Ngabu Parish in Chikwawa, another former MEC Commissioner and a DPP member Francis Kasaila echoed similar concerns. Speaking at a Jubilee Celebration for Catholic Fathers, Kasaila warned Malawians not to fall for politically motivated rumors about the electoral process.
“Some are spreading lies just to discourage the public from voting. If you registered, check your name and prepare to vote,” he advised. “Don’t let gifts and empty promises influence your democratic choice.”
Kasaila, an engineer by profession, has held several ministerial positions under the DPP, including Minister of Transport and Public Works, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Minister of Labour. Kasaila also served as a Member of Parliament for Nsanje Central Constituency from 2009 to 2020. His extensive experience in both engineering and politics has positioned him as a significant figure in Malawi’s development and governance sectors.
While his past is tied to the DPP, his call for voter participation and rejection of misinformation strikes a notably non-partisan tone, particularly in light of growing evidence that elements within his former party may be fueling the very unrest he now condemns.
Analysts suggest that much of the opposition’s anxiety around Smartmatic stems not from technical shortcomings, but from political survival instincts.
With Smartmatic this is not possible, tip-ex will be an effort is vain
Several prominent DPP figures, including individuals close to former President Arthur Peter Mutharika such as Norman Chisale, have unresolved legal cases and corruption investigations hanging over them. Observers believe that the push to undermine the elections could be a last-ditch effort to return to power and shield themselves from prosecution.
“This isn’t about voter systems. It’s about legal amnesty through political power,” said a political science lecturer at Chancellor College. “They fear losing not just the election, but their freedom.”
This interpretation aligns with the multi-stage protest plan exposed earlier this month—one that aimed to build public pressure on MEC, demonize the Smartmatic system, and create a pretext for mass unrest ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, MEC continues to prepare for what could be one of the most consequential elections in Malawi’s history. Under the leadership of Justice Anabel Ntalimanja—herself a target of political attacks—MEC has reiterated its commitment to free, fair and transparent polls.
Mukumbwa stressed that no one person, including the MEC chair, can manipulate the system.
“Decisions are made collectively by six commissioners—split equally between DPP and MCP nominees. The chair only communicates those decisions,” he explained.
This institutional safeguard, he argued, makes claims of unilateral rigging both logically and legally untenable.
As tensions rise and misinformation spreads, stakeholders are urging calm, factual dialogue, and renewed public confidence in democratic institutions. Civil society organizations, the media, and political actors alike are now faced with a critical responsibility: to distinguish between legitimate criticism and deliberate sabotage—and act accordingly.
The battle over Smartmatic is no longer just about technology—it has become a litmus test for Malawi’s democratic maturity. With credible former commissioners now voicing their support for MEC’s systems and processes, the weight of evidence is shifting.
What remains is for the public to discern fact from fiction, principle from politics, and progress from provocation. As September approaches, the message is clear: Malawi cannot afford to gamble its democratic future on manufactured outrage and electoral theatrics.
