Malawi Gets Smartmatic Biometric Kits for Elections

Published Date : 8/25/2025 

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has received thousands of biometric voter verification and identification kits from Smartmatic, a global technology company. These kits will be crucial in ensuring the transparency and credibility of the upcoming general elections. 

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has received thousands of biometric kits from Smartmatic, a global technology company, as the country prepares for its general elections next month. However, there are concerns about the procurement process for the contract award.

According to local reports, a consignment of 6,450 Biometric Voter Verification and Identification (BVVI) kits was received at the Kamuzu International airport in the capital Lilongwe on August 1. Another batch was delivered on August 22, adding to the 2,000 kits delivered at the end of July.

In total, Smartmatic is delivering 15,200 devices to support the Southeastern African country in its efforts to organize transparent elections. Some of the devices delivered earlier were used for biometric voter registration.

The most recent kits were received by a delegation that included MEC and government officials, as well as representatives of some political parties, independent candidates, and civil society organizations. The biometric devices will be used for voter verification and identification on polling day, a move expected to boost the credibility of the electoral process.

In the past, Malawi has faced issues related to ghost voters and voter ID theft, making it possible for individuals to vote multiple times. When a consignment of the kits arrived in the country early this month, MEC Commissioner Richard Chapweteka was quoted as saying, “The devices will allow us to verify that someone is who they say they are. If someone tries to use another person’s voter certificate, the machine will catch it — because fingerprints can’t lie.”

He explained that the BVVI system will complement manual voter registers, which will be available at polling stations for manual checks. “Both systems will work together,” he stated, adding that “no one will override the other.”

The delivery of BVVI kits comes at a time when alleged misinformation regarding the Elections Management System (EMS) supplied by Smartmatic is circulating. In a statement published to Nyasa Times in May, a former MEC Commissioner, Anthony Mukumbwa, addressed the issues.

There have been claims that the process to award the BVVI contract to Smartmatic was characterized by irregularities, but Mukumbwa says it was one of “the most transparent and consultative” procurement processes he had ever seen. Some opposition party leaders have called for an audit of the devices used for voter registration to avoid tampering, while others suggest the system should be abandoned altogether.

In his argument, Mukumbwa said the procurement decision was not made in isolation but involved “key electoral stakeholders” such as political parties and civil society organizations. “Smartmatic system demonstrations were made, questions were asked, and answers were given. No objections were raised at the time,” the former MEC official said, adding that the election agency also made study tours to several countries to understand how their systems work.

“Anyone questioning the legitimacy of the procurement should first understand how public procurement works — and compare it with what MEC did. These decisions weren’t taken lightly or behind closed doors,” he added.

The contract was also reviewed and approved by the country’s oversight institutions, including the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority and the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Smartmatic Integrated Communications Director Samira Saba told Biometric Update in an email.

Saba points out that Anthony Banbury, President of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, has warned, “disinformation has become the single biggest threat to electoral integrity.” Mukumbwa also explained how the Smartmatic system works, noting that all concerns about rigging through it are “baseless” as it is instead meant to enhance security and trust in Malawi’s electoral system.

“We recognize that concerns often arise when new election technology is introduced. However, after the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) repeatedly explained the safeguards built into the devices — as well as the transparent, lawful procurement process — concerns initially expressed by political parties have eased, and disinformation about this technology has steadily declined. It is also important to note that digital transformation is a cornerstone of Malawi’s National Digitalization Strategy 2023–2028. Modernizing elections is not optional — it is a national mandate. This new technology enhances efficiency, accuracy, and transparency throughout the electoral process,” Saba says.

“Although new to Malawi, our solutions have already strengthened election integrity in countries such as Argentina, Honduras, Albania, Kenya, and Zambia. We are confident the same benefits will be achieved in Malawi, supporting transparency and reinforcing public trust in the democratic process. Smartmatic is a global company with more than two decades of experience delivering secure, transparent election solutions across all continents. Our technology has been validated by independent certifying bodies in the U.S. and internationally, and positively assessed by respected organizations including the Carter Center, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the European Union.” 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are Biometric Voter Verification and Identification (BVVI) kits?

A: BVVI kits are biometric devices used to verify and identify voters during elections, ensuring that each person is who they claim to be and preventing voter fraud.

Q: Why is Malawi receiving these kits?

A: Malawi is receiving these kits to enhance the transparency and credibility of its upcoming general elections by preventing issues like ghost voters and voter ID theft.

Q: Who is Smartmatic?

A: Smartmatic is a global technology company with over two decades of experience in delivering secure and transparent election solutions. They are providing the BVVI kits to Malawi.

Q: What are the concerns about the procurement process?

A: Some opposition party leaders have called for an audit of the devices and suggested the system should be abandoned due to alleged irregularities in the procurement process. However, former MEC Commissioner Anthony Mukumbwa has defended the process as transparent and consultative.

Q: How will the BVVI system work in Malawi?

A: The BVVI system will be used alongside manual voter registers at polling stations. It will verify voters using biometric data like fingerprints to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. 

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