MEC accredits 19 international observers and 40 locals for September 16 general election

* Include African Union Commission, COMESA, UN Women, Southern Africa Election Support Network, SADC Electoral Commissions Forum, British High Commission, European Union * A briefing and certificate presentation session for all accredited observers will be held on Tuesday, September 2 at BICC in Lilongwe By Duncan Mlanjira The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) notifies the public that it has completed the accreditation of election observers for the September 16, 2025 General Election — in accordance with Section 103 of the…

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87% of 10-year-olds in Malawi cannot read or comprehend a simple text—UNICEF

* The high pupil-to-teacher ratio in rural areas — 120 pupils for every one teacher — resulted in overcrowded classrooms and insufficient teaching materials, negatively impacting the quality of education By Duncan Mlanjira In its report on the situation of children in Malawi in 2024, published on the UNICEF Malawi website, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-Malawi, finds out that 87% of 10-year-olds in the country cannot read or comprehend a simple text. Quoting Malawi Partnership Compact April 2024…

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MEC encounters no challenges to September 16 general elections’ results management system after yesterday’s dry test run

* Present were political parties, independent candidates and the media to observe the test proceedings, supporting the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability * Citizens must trust that their vote counts; political parties must trust that the system treats them equally and fairly * Civil society and the media must trust that the process is open to scrutiny and accountable to the public By Duncan Mlanjira After yesterday’s dry test run of the September 16 general elections’ results management…

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MEC to conduct a dry run September 16 general elections’ results management system tomorrow in eight councils

* To set up constituency and district tally centres and a national tally centre at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe * It is a technical test only to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the system in representative real-world conditions * Invites all contesting political parties and independent candidates to send two representatives to the tally centres By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will tomorrow August 27 from 14h00-16h00 27th August, conduct a dry-run of the…

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CAMA asks presidential aspirants to clearly spell out how resources will be generated to successfully implement their manifestos

* Expects to receive responses to questions asked before August 30 — 16 days before the September 16 general elections * Our list of questions has been developed and inspired by your brilliant manifesto that you recently unveiled * CAMA is urging all political parties and their aspirants to provide comprehensive socio-economic recovery plans for the struggling economy * These plans should have; short, intermediate and long-term interventions that will catalyze economic growth By Duncan Mlanjira Consumers Association of…

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MACRA amplifying child online protection by engaging school teachers as trainer of trainers

* Young minds in schools are now conversant with computer and smartphone usage — thus they are very vulnerable to online threats * The trainer of trainers workshop in Blantyre covered topics such as ‘school rules & child online protection’, ‘online safety’ and ‘data protection’ By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is enhancing cybersecurity by training school teachers to be trainers of child online protection, taking cognizance that the young minds in schools are now conversant with…

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MACRA urges social media influencers to follow electoral laws

* Influencers should discourage hate speech, promote respectful online engagement, and ensure informed, peaceful and fair elections By Santos Zefania, MANA Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has urged social media influencers to comply with electoral principles by avoiding the dissemination of misleading information, warning that violations could attract penalties. MACRA’s Head of International Affairs & Corporate Communication, Limbani Nsapato, made the remarks this morning during a social media influencers workshop at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe —…

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Chakwera-led administration threatens to flood the market with imported sugar to protect consumers over exorbitant prices

* Minister of Trade & Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba urges Malawians to participate in Illovo Sugar Malawi’s resale tender * But the resale tender was announced on August 4 and closes tomorrow, August 11 — in which interested applicants are required to have a base working capital of K300 million minimum and K4 trillion maximum By Duncan Mlanjira Minister of Trade & Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba has threatened that if distributors of Illovo Sugar Malawi will continue hoarding sugar to create…

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Government removes 10% surcharge on imported cement to curb rising prices

* Lifts guided values on Zambian imports as supply agreements with Chilanga Cement Company and Sinoma Company will ensure adequate availability * The two Zambian companies will supply up to 300 tonnes of cement daily at reduced prices to stabilise the local market By Innocent Manda, MANA Minister of Trade & Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba has announced that Malawi Government’s new measures to curb rising cement prices by removing the 10% surcharge on imported cement and lifted guided values on…

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Malawi Department of Immigration to receive first-ever marine patrol vessel from Japan

* Immigration Patrol Vessel 001 (IPV) is part of the marine project designed to curb irregular migration along Malawi’s lakeshore ports of entry * It will also enhance efforts to combat human trafficking, smuggling, and other transnational crimes By Maryam Ibrahim, MANA The Department of Immigration & Citizenship Services is set to strengthen marine security with the arrival of its first-ever immigration patrol vessel, courtesy of the Government of Japan. The historic handover ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, August…

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