The national parliament of Malawi has passed a significant electoral reform, granting thousands of deployed workers the right to cast their ballots away from their registered constituencies during the upcoming general elections on September 16, 2025.
In an emergency sitting on Tuesday in Lilongwe, lawmakers approved an amendment to the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Amendment Bill (No. 23 of 2025). The session was reconvened at the directive of President Lazarus Chakwera, following the earlier dissolution of Parliament on July 23.
This legislative change comes after weeks of public concern that thousands of Malawians—among them polling officials, security forces, journalists, and political party agents—would be unable to vote because of deployment on election day. These groups often work in constituencies far from where they are registered, meaning they would have been effectively disenfranchised under the old rules.
Speaking at the close of the special session, Leader of the House Richard Banda said the amendment is a victory for electoral fairness and inclusivity.
“This change ensures that all eligible citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote, even when their duties take them far from home on polling day,” Banda stated.
The amendment will allow eligible deployed workers to vote in the area where they are assigned, with the Malawi Electoral Commission expected to put in place the necessary logistical arrangements to safeguard transparency and credibility.
Observers have welcomed the move, describing it as a practical step toward protecting democratic participation, particularly for those serving the electoral process itself. However, some civil society groups have called for strong measures to prevent potential abuse and ensure the integrity of transferred votes.
With just over a month to the polls, this reform could have a notable impact on voter turnout—especially among essential service providers whose roles are critical to a smooth and credible election.
