US and Israel attacks on Iran and the latter’s retaliatory strikes have created uncertainty on the delivery of ballots from Dubai for the March 17 2026 parliamentary and local government by-elections due to suspension of flights.
If not resolved, the situation could force Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to postpone the by-elections and possibly leave thousands of people in the four constituencies
and nine local government wards to endure a prolonged period of no representation.
In an interview yesterday, Civil Aviation Authority acting director general Samuel Kalua yesterday confirmed that the weekly cargo plane from Dubai through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe failed to deliver cargo last Saturday.
“With the ongoing tension, flights from the Middle East into Malawi remain suspended until further notice,” he said.
But MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said in an interview yesterday that the ballot papers are
being printed by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, an internationally recognised security printer in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was, however, optimistic that the ballots should arrive in the country on time for the by-elections despite the ongoing war.
Iran has over the past few days launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Dubai and other regions in the UAE as well as other Gulf States of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman as part of its broader retaliation against the US and Israel.
In the UAE, the strikes have damaged and disrupted major civilian and diplomatic infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport—the world’s busiest by passenger traffic—affecting its passenger terminal and concourse, and forcing authorities to cancel some flights.
But while acknowledging the advisory on the suspension of Emirates flights responsible for carrying the ballot papers, MEC’s Mwafulirwa expressed optimism that flights could resume in time.
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“Polling for the by-elections is scheduled for March 17 and we still have time to receive and process the ballot papers,” Mwafulirwa said.
He said if the materials arrive early, they will be kept under tight security at the airport while if they arrive
close to polling day, they will be dispatched immediately to constituency tally centres.
Said Mwafulirwa: “At this stage, the commission has no consideration whatsoever of cancelling the by-elections. Preparations on the ground are progressing well and all other electoral materials and personnel arrangements are in place.”
He said the National Tally Centre will remain in Lilongwe as was the case during the September 16 2025 General Election.
In the wake of the suspension of flights from the Middle East, election stakeholders have called for contingency planning.
The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (Cseif) said elections are a constitutional process whose credibility depends on preparedness and transparency.
In an interview yesterday, Cseif chairperson Benedicto Kondowe urged MEC to communicate openly and act within the law if logistical challenges persist.
He said: “Where conditions genuinely make it impossible to proceed credibly, the commission should not hesitate to consider a lawful postponement.
“The ultimate priority must be to guarantee a credible, transparent and well-managed process that reflects the will of the people.”
Centre for Multiparty Democracy executive director Boniface Chibwana said MEC should urgently develop a contingency plan, including identifying alternative secure printing locations outside Dubai.
“Our elections are time-bound. People have waited long for these by-elections and we cannot delay further because of events in the Middle East. MEC must swiftly consider other reliable printers to avoid disruption,” he said.
MEC will conduct parliamentary by-elections in Dedza Mtakataka, Blantyre West, Rumphi Central and Nkhotakota Liwaladzi constituencies.
In Nkhotakota Liwaladzi, the commission will not conduct fresh voter registration following a Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that the poll be conducted using the voters’ roll as it stood on September 16 2025, with no transfers or new registrations allowed.
On the other hand, local government by-elections will be held in Ighembe Ward in Karonga Songwe Constituency, Luwinga Ward in Mzuzu City North Constituency, Linthembwe Ward in Dowa Ngala Constituency, Chilobwe Ward in Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency, Msitu Ward in Mchinji South Constituency, Mikongo Ward in Mangochi North East Constituency, Chanda Ward in Zomba Chikomwe Constituency, Chirunga Ward in Zomba City North Constituency and Muonekera Ward in Thyolo Goliati
