Vote buying practices have emerged as a significant concern during Malawi’s 2025 General Elections, with election observers reporting such incidents at approximately 9% of polling centers monitored across the country, according to a morning statement from the Elections Situation Room (ESR).
Gray Kalindekafe, Executive Director of Nice Trust, delivered the concerning findings during a media briefing at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, highlighting what appears to be systematic attempts to influence voters through illegal inducements near polling stations.
The ESR, which coordinates monitoring activities through over 6,000 election observers and 500 roving monitors nationwide, identified vote buying as one of several electoral irregularities occurring during the first hours of voting that began at 6 AM.
“At least 9% of centres reported vote buying practices close to the polling centres,” Kalindekafe stated. “We urge the police to investigate and bring this practice to a halt.”
The revelation comes amid what has been described as a “largely peaceful campaign” leading up to election day, suggesting that illegal practices may have intensified as voters headed to the polls.
Election monitors are calling for swift intervention from multiple authorities to address the vote buying allegations. The ESR has specifically urged citizens with information about such incidents to report to police, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), and the registrar of political parties.
The practice of vote buying – where candidates or their agents offer money, goods, or services in exchange for votes – is considered a serious electoral offense under Malawi’s electoral laws and can undermine the integrity of the democratic process.
Vote buying was not the only concerning practice observed during the morning hours. The ESR also reported continued campaigning after voting commenced, with approximately 9% of centers witnessing such violations.
“We appeal to political parties and candidates to desist from this malpractice as it is an electoral offense,” Kalindekafe emphasized, urging citizens to report such violations to authorities.
The monitoring organization also documented nine cases of attempted double voting, though all were successfully detected by the electoral system, demonstrating what observers called the system’s robustness.
Beyond vote buying, the ESR highlighted several operational challenges affecting the election process.
Significant malfunctions of the Biometric Verification Identification System caused delays at some polling centers, forcing officials to rely on manual voter registers.
Election monitors also expressed concern about voters photographing their marked ballots and sharing images on social media platforms – a practice that violates ballot secrecy laws.
“We urge all voters to desist from this practice and safeguard the secrecy of the ballot,” the statement warned.
The ESR report painted a mixed picture of election day operations. While 79% of polling centers opened on time, issues including equipment malfunctions, material shortages, and organizational problems caused delays at others.
Voter turnout appeared strong, particularly among women and youth, though late openings disproportionately affected women with caregiving responsibilities and elderly voters who had arrived early to avoid long queues.
The ESR’s findings are based on data collected through a comprehensive monitoring network operating from a command center at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, coordinated by the technology hub Masu Athu in partnership with the Malawi Police Service.
The organization emphasized its commitment to verifying information before public release, stating that while they capture issues as they happen, they take time to confirm details with relevant authorities to ensure credibility.
As voting continues until 4 PM, election monitors are maintaining their surveillance of polling centers nationwide. The ESR has promised regular updates throughout the day while calling for all stakeholders to prioritize accurate, verified information during the limited election timeframe.
“Elections take place within a very limited timeframe, so we cannot afford to sensationalize issues that could potentially cause widespread harm and injury,” Kalindekafe noted.
The documented vote buying practices, if substantiated through investigation, could potentially impact the legitimacy of results in affected constituencies, making swift action by authorities crucial for maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Voters are encouraged to report any instances of vote buying or other electoral violations to authorities while continuing to exercise their democratic rights at designated polling stations throughout the day.
