By Wadza Botomani
The Malawi Parliament has declined to adopt a report presented by the Legal Affairs Committee on proposed amendments to the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Act. During the session, 165 members cast their votes, with 94 opposing the report, 63 supporting it, and 8 abstaining.

The Legal Affairs Committee had recommended rejecting the amendments, raising issues about the timing and scope of the proposed changes. Despite their findings, the majority of lawmakers voted against adopting the report, effectively halting the amendment process for now. The decision reflects ongoing debates within Parliament over electoral reforms and their potential implications for future elections.
The rejection of the report underscores the divided opinions among legislators on how best to approach changes to the country’s election laws. Further discussions may be required to address the concerns raised before any amendments can proceed.