LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has announced that it will not relocate its head office from Lilongwe to Blantyre despite an executive order from President Peter Mutharika, pending the determination of constitutional issues by the High Court.

In a statement released on April 9, 2026, MEC said it had resolved to take appropriate legal steps to ensure that the constitutional issues surrounding the relocation directive are conclusively determined.

The commission’s decision follows a High Court ruling on February 27, 2026, which dismissed MEC’s application for judicial review on procedural grounds without addressing the substantive constitutional issues.

MEC cited concerns about safeguarding its integrity, continuity, and independence as reasons for remaining in Lilongwe.

The commission has also received a letter from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, dated April 7, 2026, stating that it will not evict MEC from its current premises at Chisankho House.

The relocation directive was part of Executive Order No. 1 issued by President Mutharika in October 2025, which also affected other government institutions.

MEC had argued that the directive constituted unlawful interference with its independence, as prescribed by the Constitution and the Malawi Electoral Commission Act.

The High Court’s decision to dismiss MEC’s application has sparked debate, with some arguing that the commission’s refusal to relocate undermines judicial authority and the rule of law.

Others have supported MEC’s stance, citing concerns about the potential impact on the commission’s independence and the country’s democratic processes.