State-run broadcaster MBC Digital has reported that some opposition parties in Malawi are secretly planning protests against the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) after their strongholds recorded low voter registration numbers ahead of the September 2025 elections.
According to MBC Digital, leaked online chats show individuals linked to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Transformation Movement (UTM), and People’s Party (PP) discussing how to organise money and transport for protests targeting MEC and its use of SMARTMATIC, the biometric technology currently in use for managing the electoral process.
A political analyst who spoke to Shire Times said the real reason behind these planned protests appears to be panic over poor registration figures in opposition areas. “The numbers speak for themselves,” the analyst said. “President Chakwera’s strongholds turned out in large numbers to register. Opposition zones didn’t. And instead of going back to mobilise their people, they’ve decided to attack the system.”
“It’s like a bad carpenter blaming his tools,” the analyst added. “They’re trying to find someone to blame for their own failure to do the groundwork.”
Efforts by MBC Digital to get comments from senior officials in the mentioned opposition parties were unsuccessful, with calls reportedly going unanswered.
The leaked conversations have caused debate online, as they allegedly show plans to pay young people to take part in the protests. Some observers say this raises concerns about the true purpose of the demonstrations, suggesting they may be less about fighting for fairness and more about undermining the Malawi Electoral Commission ahead of the polls.
As the story develops, it is unclear if the protests will go ahead. But according to reports by MBC Digital, the opposition is now trying to shift blame instead of facing up to what looks like a tough race in the months ahead.
