Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) yesterday announced the resignation of its chief executive officer Andrew Mpesi, but fell short of explaining the reasons.
MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja said in a statement that Mpesi, who tendered his resignation on May 24, will serve a three-month notice as per the commission’s conditions of service and that his last working day will be August 21 this year.
She further said Mpesi will be serving notice, while discharging duties as CEO and undertaking structured handover processes, including finalising outstanding assignments to ensure a smooth and seamless transition to his successor.
“The commission takes this opportunity to commend Mr. Mpesi for a tenure marked by institutional and operational achievements that have strengthened the electoral management framework in Malawi,” said Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court of Malawi.
She said Mpesi presided over a successful conduct of a comprehensive review and demarcation of constituency and ward boundaries to the requirements of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. This process was complemented by the establishment of accessible and strategically distributed voter registration centres and polling stations.
Mtalimanja further praised Mpesi for leading electoral legal reforms, including formulation of MEC’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and its 2025 General Election Operational Plan which facilitated comprehensive planning across all logistical, administrative and technical areas.
Since Tuesday evening, The Nation’s efforts to seek comment from Mpesi proved futile on numerous attempts as our phone calls went unanswered nor did he respond to our WhatsApp text messages.
Likewise, Mtalimanja did not respond to our WhatsApp text message.
Mpesi joined MEC in August 2022 during the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) rule, but the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), then in opposition, challenged his appointment in court.
In its application filed in 2022, the DPP argued that Mpesi was an MCP sympathiser who once served as immediate past president Lazarus Chakwera’s personal assistant. The DPP perceived that he would fight for the interests of Chakwera, especially ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election.
The DPP sought a judicial review on Mpesi’s appointment and an order restraining him from performing his duties as CEO pending determination of the case.
But on August 20 2025, High Court of Malawi Judge Mandala Mambulasa dismissed DPP’s case on the basis that the party did not have sufficient interest in the matter as it failed to demonstrate how MEC’s decision affected it.
Mpesi was on February 25 2026 arrested in Lilongwe for alleged abuse of office contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code.
The charge relates to claims that he retained two official vehicles, one of which was allegedly driven by his wife, an act the State argued amounted to abuse of office.
Prior to his appointment as MEC CEO, Mpesi worked with the United States Agency for International Development as governance specialist.
