LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has returned the nomination papers of independent presidential candidate Reverend Hardwick Kaliya, citing critical procedural deficiencies.

The Commission’s Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, stated that the submitted documents were incomplete, as Kaliya’s running mate had not signed the nomination papers nor the statutory declaration.

Additionally, the running mate failed to submit identification documents and had not given official consent to be listed as a running mate.

In a formal communication, Justice Mtalimanja emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the electoral guidelines designed to ensure transparency and legitimacy in the nomination process.

“The Commission must uphold the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that all candidates meet the necessary legal requirements,” she said.

“The absence of signatures and necessary documents from the running mate raises serious concerns that must be addressed before proceeding,” she added

Reverend Kaliya has been advised to correct these shortfalls and resubmit his nomination papers ahead of the deadline on July 30th, when the Commission will officially close the nomination exercise for the upcoming general elections.

The MEC’s decision comes as part of its broader mandate to oversee a fair and credible election process in Malawi.

The Commission has been meticulous in scrutinizing all candidate submissions to prevent any procedural irregularities that could undermine the electoral process.

Reverend Kaliya, a notable independent candidate, now faces the challenge of quickly rectifying these issues to keep his bid for presidency on track.

His campaign team is expected to act promptly to gather the required documents and secure the necessary signatures to meet the Commission’s requirements.

As the nomination deadline approaches, the MEC continues to urge all candidates to ensure their paperwork is complete and compliant with electoral laws to avoid disqualification.

This move underscores the Commission’s commitment to maintaining a transparent and accountable electoral environment ahead of the much-anticipated elections.