MEC calls for adherence to electoral law

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has advised presiding officers for the June 30 parliamentary and local government by-elections to adhere to electoral laws and procedures to deliver a credible poll.

Speaking yesterday during a training sessions for presiding officers in Lilongwe, MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja said election officials must approach their duties with professionalism and integrity, particularly in constituencies where previous election results were nullified by the courts.

Mtalimanja: Procedures come from the law.

Her warning came on the eve of the scheduled arrival of ballot papers through Kamuzu International Airport today.

Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court of Malawi, said all polling procedures, from the opening of polling stations to vote counting and results management, are governed by law and must be followed without exception.

She said: “Whatever procedures we have set stem from the provisions of the law. It is imperative that as they discharge their duties in relation to polling processes, whether it is the opening of the polling station, polling procedures, counting of votes or results management, they understand that these are prescribed by law.”

Mtalimanja noted that some of the by-elections are being conducted following court rulings that overturned previous results, making strict compliance with electoral procedures even more critical.

Meanwhile, MEC has invited political party representatives and other stakeholders to witness the arrival of the ballot papers before they are distributed to the particular constituencies and wards.

Mtalimanja said the materials will undergo pre-inspection on June 29, a process aimed at verifying that all polling materials have been delivered in the correct quantities and to the correct locations.

Alinafe Chisenga, one of the presiding officers for the Lilongwe City Bwaila Constituency by-election, said the training would help officials avoid mistakes that could undermine the credibility of the vote.

“This constituency has experienced issues before, which is why we are having a by-election. The training reminds us of the need to follow the law and avoid discrepancies,” she said.

MEC conducted voter registration from May 12 to May 18, targeting eligible voters aged 18 and above, including those turning 18 by polling day.

The electoral body will hold by-elections in Balaka Mulunguzi, Lilongwe City Bwaila and Machinga Mikoko constituencies as well as in Uliwa Ward in Karonga South Constituency and Kanjuni Ward in Machinga Central East Constituency.

The vacancies in Balaka Mulunguzi and Lilongwe City Bwaila arose from court-ordered nullification of election results while in the remaining areas, they came due to death of elected representatives.

No fresh voter registration was conducted in Balaka Mulunguzi in line with the court ruling that nullified the previous election.

MEC is expected to announce the results of the by-elections by July 3 2026.

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