LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has nullified the Parliamentary election results for Lilongwe Mtandire-Mtsiriza Constituency following complaints raised by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate George Zulu regarding irregularities in the handling of void votes.
Unofficial results initially showed a narrow margin, with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Alfred Gangata leading by just five votes, securing 12,289 votes to Zulu’s 12,284.
However, Zulu challenged the results, citing discrepancies related to 445 void votes recorded at the constituency level, while only 345 void votes were submitted at the District Tally Centre.
In his petition, Zulu requested a recount, highlighting the missing 100 void votes and emphasizing the slim difference in the vote count.
After reviewing the complaint, MEC chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, in a letter dated September 27, 2025, stated that the handling of polling materials, particularly the void votes, had deviated from the legally mandated procedures.
Justice Mtalimanja explained that due to these irregularities, the Commission could not determine the election results with certainty.
Consequently, MEC has declared the election null and void, and a by-election will be organized to fill the parliamentary seat for Lilongwe Mtandire-Mtsiriza Constituency.
The decision underscores MEC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and transparency of Malawi’s electoral process as the nation continues to engage in the 2025 election cycle.
