MEC refutes reports circulating on social media that chairperson Justice Mtalimanja’s entourage was prevented from leaving the country at KIA

* They were scheduled to travel to Mozambique to attend an executive committee meeting of ECF-SADC scheduled for August 25-27

* MEC was, however, awaiting the necessary approval from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for the proposed travel to Mozambique

By Duncan Mlanjira

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has refuted reports circulating on social media that chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (Finance and Administration) and some senior officials were prevented from leaving the country at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on or about August 24, 2026.

Instead, MEC explains that “no official was stopped from leaving the country or was prevented from travelling by the Police”.

In a statement, MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa confirms that Mtalimanja and the Deputy Chief Elections Officer were scheduled to travel to Mozambique to attend and executive committee meeting of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries (ECF-SADC), which scheduled for August 25-27 and were to depart on August 23 and 25, respectively.

“The Commission was, however, awaiting the necessary approval from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for the proposed travel to Mozambique.

“The Commission, therefore, wishes to clarify that there was no incident at the Kamuzu International Airport involving the chairperson or any MEC official, and no MEC official was stopped from leaving the country by the Police.

“MEC remains committed to transparency and accurate communication with the public. The Commission encourages members of the public and the media to verify information concerning its officials and operations with the Commission before publishing or circulating reports.

“Malawi is a member of the ECF-SADC Executive Committee and continues to actively participate in the Forum’s activities. Most recently, Malawi, through MEC, chaired the ECF-SADC Election Observation Mission to Zambia for the General Elections held on 13 August 2026.

“ECF-SADC is a regional body that brings together Electoral Management Bodies from SADC Member States to promote cooperation, exchange experiences and best practices in election management, and strengthen democratic electoral processes in the region,” says the statement.