BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-As the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) prepares to officially launch the campaign period for the September 16 Tripartite elections, the atmosphere is charged with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

While the MEC may present this event as a celebration of democratic engagement, a critical analysis reveals that it may instead mark the beginning of an official turmoil period.

This perspective is underscored by the Commission’s apparent dismissal of concerns raised by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and other stakeholders, which raises significant questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the overall health of democracy in Malawi.

The role of the MEC is to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, serving as the arbiter of the electoral process.

However, the Commission’s recent actions—or lack thereof—suggest a troubling trend of downplaying legitimate concerns from the opposition.

The DPP, which has been vocal about perceived irregularities and biases in the electoral process, has expressed fears that the upcoming elections may not reflect the will of the people.

By failing to adequately address these concerns, the MEC risks undermining its own credibility and, by extension, the legitimacy of the electoral process itself.

The DPP’s grievances are not merely political posturing; they reflect deep-seated anxieties about the fairness of the electoral landscape.

The MEC’s apparent indifference to these issues suggests a troubling complicity in a system that favors the ruling party, thereby creating an uneven playing field.

In this context, the official campaign launch may be perceived not as a celebration of democracy but as a façade that masks the underlying turmoil and inequities that threaten the electoral process.

Moreover, the opposition parties, particularly the DPP, are entering this campaign period already wounded.

The party has faced significant challenges in recent years, including internal divisions and a loss of public trust following the controversial 2019 elections.

The DPP’s ability to mount a credible challenge in the upcoming elections is further compromised by the MEC’s failure to address their concerns.

The perception that the electoral process is rigged or biased can demoralize supporters and discourage voter turnout, which is critical for any opposition party hoping to reclaim power. In this sense, the MEC’s actions—or inactions—have a direct impact on the opposition’s campaign viability, effectively placing them at a disadvantage before the campaign has even begun.

The implications of this situation extend beyond the immediate electoral landscape.

The MEC’s role in downplaying opposition concerns raises fundamental questions about accountability and transparency in governance.

If the Commission is perceived as biased or unresponsive to the needs of all stakeholders, it risks eroding public trust in not only the electoral process but also in democratic institutions as a whole.

This erosion of trust can have far-reaching consequences, leading to political apathy, disenfranchisement, and even civil unrest. In a country like Malawi, where democratic gains have been hard-won, the stakes are particularly high.

Furthermore, the MEC must be held accountable for its actions during this critical period.

The Commission’s mandate is to facilitate a democratic process that reflects the will of the people, and any failure to do so should not go unchallenged. Civil society organizations, the media, and international observers all have a role to play in holding the MEC accountable for its actions leading up to the elections.

This includes scrutinizing the Commission’s decisions, advocating for transparency, and ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders—especially those of the opposition—are heard and considered.

The potential for turmoil during the official campaign period is exacerbated by the broader political climate in Malawi.

The country has experienced significant political upheaval in recent years, culminating in the 2020 presidential election rerun, which was characterized by widespread protests and calls for electoral reform.

The lingering effects of this political turbulence create an environment ripe for conflict, particularly if the MEC continues to ignore the concerns of the opposition.

The risk of violence or unrest during the campaign period cannot be underestimated, especially if the DPP and its supporters feel that their grievances are being systematically ignored.

The official launch of the campaign period for the September 16 Tripartite elections by the Malawi Electoral Commission is fraught with challenges that extend beyond mere political maneuvering.

The Commission’s downplaying of concerns raised by the opposition DPP and other stakeholders signals a troubling trend that threatens the integrity of the electoral process.

As the opposition enters the campaign already wounded, the MEC must be held accountable for its role in perpetuating an environment of inequality and mistrust.

The upcoming elections represent not only a test of political will but also a critical juncture for the future of democracy in Malawi.

If the MEC fails to rise to the occasion, the official campaign period may indeed devolve into an official turmoil period, with consequences that could reverberate far beyond the electoral outcome.

The stakes are high, and the need for accountability, transparency, and genuine democratic engagement has never been more pressing.

According to Sangwani Mwafulirwa, the spokesperson for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), the presidential aspirants who have obtained their nomination papers so far include: Milward Tobias, running independently; Adil James Chilungo, also running independently; Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP); Kondwani Nankhumwa of the Peoples Development Party (PDP); Akwame Bandawe of Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA); Joyce Banda of the People’s Party (PP); Atupele Austin Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF); and lastly Reverend Hardwick Kaliya, who is also running as an independent candidate.

It is worth mentioning that a few potential candidates for the presidency, including Peter Mutharika, Dalitso Kabambe, David Mbewe, and Ras Chikomeni, have not yet collected their nomination forms. The last day to obtain these forms is July 5th.

However, one question lingers, what is the significance of collecting nomination papers in the view of possible electoral alliances?

Firstly, by collecting nomination forms, a presidential candidate signals their serious intent to contest the elections.

This act not only showcases their readiness to engage in the political process but also helps to galvanize support from their base and potential voters.

Furthermore , collecting nomination papers establishes a candidate’s presence in the electoral race, which is vital for building momentum and visibility in a competitive political environment.

Additionally, it is important to note that collecting nomination forms does not automatically designate a candidate as a running mate in the event of an electoral alliance.

This is significant because it allows candidates to maintain their autonomy in the political landscape. It ensures that they can negotiate alliances without compromising their position or aspirations.

Lastly but not least the act of collecting nomination forms serves as a safeguard for candidates.

In the event that negotiations for an electoral alliance do not materialize, having the nomination forms allows candidates to still participate in the elections either as independent candidates or on their party’s ticket.

This is particularly important especially in our political climate where alliances can be unpredictable, and therefore candidates must be prepared for various scenarios.

It should be noted that merely obtaining nomination papers does not guarantee a candidate’s ability to run in the elections, as they may choose not to submit the papers and therefore forfeit the fee.

In summary, collecting nomination forms is a strategic move for presidential candidates in Malawi’s 2025 elections.

It reflects their commitment to the electoral process, clarifies their position in potential alliances, and provides a safety net for their political aspirations.

¹³ Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning….. ¹⁵ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.  ¹⁶ Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord. – Leviticus 19:13, 15-16

If at all it was possible for humankind, this would be the time to call for turning back the hands of time and wishing that Retired Justice Anastasia Msosa should return as Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission. The former MEC chairperson Msosa, was by far the best chair of the Malawi entity that overlooks the running of Malawi’s elections in pre and post democracy years. She was true to-doing-my-job, unpretentious, fair, and respectful of leaders and voters without fear or favor, without looking left or right, without looking in front or behind, and definitely without regard to who put her in her chair.  

Recent media reports, and indeed the actions of the MEC in these past years since Msosa’s retirement from the MEC chair position and indeed even from the bench, has left a bad taste in the mouth of Malawians, a suspicion of many statements and double-speak of the office bearers of this institution that is supposed to be an independent entity…. Media reports stated that the voter inspection and verification exercise was to open on Tuesday, and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced the first and surely of much bad future news: it told Malawians that the MEC has identified some issues affecting voter images in some registration centres.

At the confession to the country, so far MEC Chairperson, Annabel Mtalimanja told the country that during the voters’ register quality assurance process, the Commission identified unclear photographs of voters in some registration centres. She mentioned “challenges like invisible faces in some photographs and photographs of National Registration Slips in place of the voter’s face.”

“The Commission has compiled a list of the affected voters and their corresponding registration centres. In total, there are 305 records of affected voters representing 0.0042% of the valid entries,” Mtalimanja said. 

In attempting to alleviate our fears, the MEC chair assured the country that the affected voters will still be able to verify their respective records in the voters’ register as during the inspection and verification process using fingerprints, as the Commission will place Election Management Devices alongside the printed voters’ registers at every registration centre.

Seriously, from photographs to fingerprints!? This is the way our grandparents were identified for government identification purposes. Photographs were too costly to be used for the “Natives” (name the colonial government used to refer to Malawians).

The MEC informs the voters that there are three phases in which the inspection and verification of the voters’ register will be rolled out; the first phase runs from 13th May to 15th May; this will be followed by the second phase from 21st May to 23rd May; and the last phase will begin on 29th May and end on 31st May.

What is really upsetting about this is that there always appear secondary and third and even fourth layers to the onion called the voting exercise in Malawi. This is 2025 for crying out loud. Clarity of pictures should not be a stumbling block that sets alarm bells ringing, that there will be more that will be amiss during the 2025 elections.

Malawians are still mourning June 10, 2024; Malawians are still screaming about the 2019 Tippex elections saga that led to 2020 Fresh Presidential Elections that was complete with the failed Tonse Alliance; and Malawians still remember that since the dawn of the 1994 dawn of democracy, the country’s voting culture has been riddled with systemic anomalies, and sometimes violence.

The Commission’s urging of “all registered members to follow the dates and verify their records,” is giving Malawians not only extra work, but extra work that one they will not get paid for, two may led to a low voter turnout in September 2025 elections, and thirdly will definitely continue to decrease the levels of confidence Malawi voters have in the ability of the MEC to oversee the elections without fear or favor.

Madam Chair, the onus is entirely up to you and the Commission to run these elections for the

President, Parliamentarians, and councillors with the usual messy hitches that have been the diet for Malawian voters. Please, make us proud and make this year’s elections SMART elections.