* MEC has released the Code of Conduct for the candidates and political parties which are being collected together with nomination papers
* It was gazetted as a regulation and can also be downloaded from https://mec.org.mw/publications/ or by scanning the codes provided
By Duncan Mlanjira
With 87 days to go ahead of the September 16 general elections, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has now issued 13 nomination papers for the presidential race after People’s Transformation Party (PETRA) president, Kamuzu Chibambo and independent Smart Swira collected their’s yesterday.
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They have joined incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party) and former Heads of State, Peter Mutharika (Democratic Progressive Party) and Joyce Banda (People’s Party).
The others representing parties are Kondwani Nankhumwa (Peoples Development Party); Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front); Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo (National Development Party) and Akwame Bandawe (Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA)
The independents are Milward Tobias, Adil James Chilungo, Rev. Hardwick Kaliya and now 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.
Meanwhile, MEC has released the Code of Conduct for the candidates and political parties which are being collected together with nomination papers and to signed on the pre-perforated page and attach to their nomination paper.
The Code of Conduct was gazetted as a regulation and can also be downloaded from https://mec.org.mw/publications/ or by scanning the codes below.
The collection of nomination papers began on June 10 and will continue up to the final day of receipt of nomination papers while the list of names of duly nominated candidates shall be published by August 8 in the Government Gazette, in at least two newspapers of general circulation, and will also be broadcast on the national radio.
This was announced by MEC chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja a press briefing this week where she also advised candidates and their election representatives “that they have the right, during the entire nomination period, to request the Commission to examine their nomination papers and supporting documents before formal submission”.
“This will help ensure completeness and compliance with legal requirements,” she emphasised. “Upon formal submission of nomination papers, the Commission shall, before the close of the nomination period, notify candidates or their representatives of any defects identified in the nomination papers or supporting documents.
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“Candidates will be permitted to rectify such defects before the nomination period closes,” she said, stressing that the changes of dates for receiving nomination papers has considered desirably to be aligned with the dissolution of the National Assembly as provided under section 67(1) of the Constitution — “which also sets the date of polling and section 147 (5) of the Constitution which provide for the dissolution of local government authorities on 23rd July 2025”.
The official 60-day campaign period, that permits candidates and political parties to freely canvass for votes, remains to start from July 14 and to close on September 14 at 06h00 on September 14 — to be conducted in accordance with the electoral laws and the Code of Conduct for Election which MEC has prescribed to regulate the conduct of campaign.
“The official period of campaign is set by law under section 51(2) which states that the period shall close 48 hours before the opening of the poll,” Mtalimanja reiterated.
“This period should be considered as a separate period to the period of nomination. Therefore, candidates and political parties are encouraged to begin their respective campaign activities at the commencement of the campaign period on 14th July 2025 as declared by the Commission,” she said.
