LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-As Malawians anxiously await the final results of the September 16 general elections, the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) has urged all citizens and political parties to remain calm and respect the democratic process.
In a statement released on September 19, 2025, CSEIF Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe emphasized that the will of the voters must be fully upheld.
He stressed that only the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has the constitutional mandate to tally and announce results within the prescribed timelines.
Kondowe warned against any attempts to rush or undermine this process, saying such actions would weaken public trust and betray the millions of Malawians who peacefully cast their votes.
The organization highlighted a series of concerns raised throughout the electoral process including delayed vote counting, malfunctions of the biometric voter identification devices (BVID) and missing names on the voters’ roll.
CSEIF also condemned recent attacks on human rights defenders and reiterated the need to protect electoral officials and observers.
“The verification of both manual and electronically transmitted results is essential to ensure transparency and public confidence,” Kondowe said.
He called for a meticulous process including thorough investigations of any anomalies or allegations of vote manipulation.
Those found guilty of tampering with results must face legal consequences, he added.
CSEIF further appealed to political parties to discourage violence and avoid using intimidation or propaganda to disrupt the process.
Kondowe urged the Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force to maintain peace and act decisively against any acts of disorder.
“Democracy is not secured by shortcuts, violence or propaganda. It is safeguarded by law, truth and the sovereign will of the people,” the statement reads.
Kondowe also urged patience as the nation waits for MEC to announce the final results, describing the moment as a crucial test of Malawi’s democracy and resilience.
