How is the national electoral register created?

Malawi Electoral Commission, Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, last amended in 2023, found in Malawi Electoral Laws, accessed 22 October 2025

Part II Registration of Voters

Article 4. Voter registration

(1) The Commission shall, within the year of holding a general election, conduct registration of voters. 

(2) The Commission shall, through notice published in the Gazette, announce commencement of registration of voters for a general election or by-election. 

(3) The Commission shall, for each election, conduct voter registration for a period of not less than seven days and not more than fourteen days.

Article 11. Voters register

(1) A voters’ register shall be in the prescribed form. 

(2) The Commission shall procure sufficient copies of the voters’ register for the registration of voters and for distribution to registration officers at every registration centre. 

(3) The Commission may adopt existing voters’ registers which shall, be updated by registration officers with new registrations.

Article 14. Updating of voters register

(1) The Commission shall maintain an updated voters’ register. 

(2) In updating a voters’ register, a registration officer shall do so by— (a) adding names and other prescribed particulars of voters resulting from new registration; and (b) deleting names of registered voters who are known to be deceased or who have lost eligibility to vote.