Only Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu and Freedom Party representatives witnessed the receipt, by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe, of indelible ink that will be used during the September 16 2025 General Election.
The surprise development comes at a time major opposition political parties have been complaining about MEC sidelining them in electoral activities and processes.
The Emirates aircraft carrying the consignment touched down at KIA at exactly 12.20pm.
MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said they invited all political parties to the function.
“We are surprised that only two political parties have sent their representatives,” Mwafulirwa said.
MEC chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja equally expressed concern over the development.
“We invite political parties to witness the arrival of electoral materials at the airport because we believe in transparency and accountability.
“The invitations show we are committed to ensuring that MEC has the public’s trust. As you know, MEC uses the ink to mark the voters at the polling stations to prevent voters from voting more than once.
“It’ is concerning that the political parties decided not to send their representatives, though we invited them,” she said.
Commenting on the development, Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (Cseif) chairperson Benedicto Kondowe described the development as disappointing.
“Elections’ integrity begins with involvement of all political parties in such exercises, which we ask political parties to take seriously. It’s our hope that they will participate in the next exercises to ensure that we achieve elections integrity,” he said.
Malawi Congress Party spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said she was not aware that MEC was receiving ink at the airport yesterday.
“I didn’t see the invitation, either. Let me check with other party officials, then I will get back to you,” she said.
A representative of Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu Party Beauty Kumtomoni said they were happy to witness the arrival of the consignment at the airport.
“We are delighted to be part of this exercise. The ink is very important because it ensures that no voter casts their vote more than once. Our involvement in these exercises shows that MEC is committed to doing its activities openly,” she said.
According to Mtalimanja, 161 920 bottles of the indelible ink have been purchased.
“We are optimistic it is enough such that it will also be used in case of a run-off and by-elections after 16 September 2025 General Election.”
Malawi goes to the polls on September 16, 2025, where voters will elect the country’s president, members of Parliaments and ward councillors.
