By Burnett Munthali

The Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Anabel Mtalimanja, has urged political parties and stakeholders calling for an audit of the elections management system to first submit a detailed scope of the audit.

She emphasized that without a clearly outlined framework, the Commission is unable to take a decisive position on the matter.

Speaking during a press briefing held today in Lilongwe, Mtalimanja clarified that MEC requires specific parameters in order to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of any proposed audit.

She said the commission had been responding to calls for an audit since September, but so far, not a single political party has officially written to the Commission with the requested details.

Mtalimanja pointed out that despite repeated advice from MEC, no stakeholder has come forward to present a scope of the audit, which she said is critical for the Commission to assess the request objectively.

“We have been saying that those who want the audit to be done must provide us with the scope of the audit so that the Commission can make an informed decision,” she stated.

The MEC chairperson also took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to politicians, social media influencers, and other influential voices who are spreading false information about electoral processes.

She said the spread of misinformation, particularly through social media, undermines the integrity of the electoral process and can lead to voter apathy.

Mtalimanja warned that the dissemination of misleading narratives discourages public trust in elections and has the potential to dissuade Malawians from participating in future electoral exercises.

She called for responsibility and accountability in how election-related information is communicated, especially by those in positions of influence.

The MEC boss stressed the need for all stakeholders to act in good faith, collaborate responsibly, and uphold democratic principles as the nation gears up for future elections.

She concluded by reiterating that the Commission remains open to meaningful dialogue and cooperation, but such engagement must be based on well-defined proposals and accurate information.