* Every security agent carries a constitutional mandate, a legal and moral responsibility to serve, protect, and defend the people of Malawi
* We must build joint operational frameworks, shared communication protocols, and unified command structures where necessary
* Let us ensure that Malawi’s 2025 General Election will be remembered not just as a successful election, but as a moment when our institutions worked together to deliver peace, stability, and national pride
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Monday convened a joint meeting with the country’s key security agencies — the Malawi Police Service, Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Malawi Prisons Service and the Department of Immigration & Citizenship Services at Nkopola in Mangochi to strategise on ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
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The meeting focused on strengthening inter-agency coordination, reviewing election security preparedness, and mapping out joint strategies to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process ahead of September 16 General Elections.
Leading the teams from the member institutions were Major General Saiford Kalisha representing the MDF Commander; Inspector General of the Malawi Police, Merlyne Nachulu Yolamu; Commissioner General of the Malawi Prisons, Masauko Ng’ombeyagwada Wiscot and Deputy Commissioner of Immigration, Martha Gonondo.
MEC chairperson highlighted that the gathering underscored the critical role that security institutions play in safeguarding the democratic process as the country prepares for the upcoming general elections.
She commended national security leaders noting that their presence “reaffirms their commitment not just to this electoral cycle, but to the continued stability, order, and democratic progress of our country”.
Justice Annabel Mtalimanja
She took cognizance of “the excellent cooperation and support” that the security agencies have rendered to MEC so far — “from the voter registration exercise, through voter transfers, and most recently, the inspection and verification of the voters’ register, and now in nomination, where your involvement has been instrumental”.
“You provided security, helped maintain order, facilitated logistics, and boosted public confidence in each of these processes — on behalf of the Commission, I say thank you.”
Now that MEC is in the nomination phase, in which aspiring candidates have been collecting nomination papers since June 10 to be submitted from July 24-30, Justice Mtalimanja reminded the security heads to reflect on their individual and institutional roles.
“I wish to remind us all that every security agency represented in this room carries a constitutional mandate — a legal and moral responsibility to serve, protect, and defend the people of Malawi and the institutions of our Republic.
“The Malawi Police Service is constitutionally mandated to maintain law and order and protect life and property; the Malawi Defence Force is mandated to uphold national security and support civil authorities during times of national need; and the Malawi Prisons Service is tasked with the safe custody and rehabilitation of offenders.
“The Department of Immigration & Citizenship Services has the mandate to safeguard our borders and ensure legal and secure migration. The Malawi Electoral Commission itself is also constitutionally established, mandated to manage and oversee elections.
“The upcoming General Election presents a profound opportunity for each one of us to fulfil these constitutional duties in full view of the public, in the service of our nation, and in defence of our democracy.”
She further highlighted that “elections are the largest, most complex national undertakings during peacetime [as] it mobilises institutions across government, engages millions of citizens, and attracts local and international scrutiny”.
“It is in this moment that our mandates converge, and it is through our collaboration that Malawi will either succeed or stumble. We must, therefore, be intentional, proactive, and coordinated.
“The 2025 General Election must be peaceful, orderly, inclusive, and secure — we want every Malawian to be able to go to the polling station, vote freely, and return home safely. This is our shared vision, and the Commission is committed to fulfillment of this.
“The Commission wants to ensure that this election becomes a model — not only in terms of voter turnout and transparency but also in how security arrangements are managed and coordinated.
“We want other countries to visit Malawi and learn from us — not just how we vote, but how we secure, protect, and uphold the democratic process.
“That is why today’s meeting is so important — it marks our resolve to strengthen inter-agency cooperation. It is about moving from isolated responses to coordinated planning. We must build joint operational frameworks, shared communication protocols, and unified command structures where necessary.
“This will help us avoid duplication, close logistical gaps, and respond swiftly to emerging challenges,” Justice Mtalimanja said, while concluding with emphasis that together, they should “ensure that Malawi’s 2025 General Election will be remembered not just as a successful election, but as a moment when our institutions worked together to deliver peace, stability, and national pride”.
Meanwhile, earlier today, MEC alerted that the Code of Conduct published in the Gazette — whose full version can be obtained through https://mec.org.mw/publications/ — prohibits possession of guns at election campaign rallies.
The Code of Conduct among other things, prohibits a political party or candidate participating in an election or any other person, in relation to elections, shall not carry, display, or use arms, weapons, or any traditional or unconventional weapons at political events.
These meetings include political marches, demonstrations or rallies for the purpose of electoral campaign for political parties, candidates and their followers.
“This being a regulation, it is enforceable, and the law has given the Commission powers to mete out fines for violations,” says MEC, which publishes all electoral updates on its Facebook page; https://web.facebook.com/Mwelectoralcommission.
MEC’s Facebook page
Also contained in the Code of Conduct is that contesting political parties, candidates, members of a political party, or representatives of independent candidates are prohibited from publishing false or defamatory allegations in connection with an election against a political party, its candidates, representatives, members, or any candidate.
And according to the Republic of Malawi’s Constitution, s.80(7), no person shall be allowed to contest as President or Vice-President if he/she:
* has been adjudged or declared to be of unsound mind;
* is an undischarged bankrupt, having been declared bankrupt under a law of the Republic;
* has, within the last seven years , been convicted by a competent court of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;
* owes allegiance to a foreign country;
* is a holder of a public office or a Member of Parliament, unless he or she has first resigned;
* is a serving member of the Defence Force of the Malawi Police Service; or
* has, within the last seven years, been convicted by a competent court of an violation of a law relating to the election of the President or the election of Members of Parliament.
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As of close of business today, MEC had issued 13 nomination papers for the presidential race that include incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party); former Heads of State, Peter Mutharika (Democratic Progressive Party) and Joyce Banda (People’s Party); Kondwani Nankhumwa (Peoples Development Party); Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front); Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo (National Development Party); Kamuzu Chibambo (People’s Transformation Party) and Akwame Bandawe (Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi) as representing parties.
There are four independent aspirants; Milward Tobias, Adil James Chilungo, Rev. Hardwick Kaliya and Smart Swira — all set to present their nomination papers to MEC from July 24-30 July with presidential candidates presenting their’s at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe while the parliamentary and local government elections candidates to present at Constituency Returning Offices.
