President Lazarus Chakwera is yet to appoint four new commissioners of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to fill vacancies created by those whose terms expired on June 8 2025.
The President appointed the affected commissioners after the High Court of Malawi dismissed their predecessors’ appointments as unlawful in June 2021. Three of the commissioners were nominated by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), namely Emmanuel Fabiano, Caroline Mfune and Francis Kasaila who resigned on April 23 this year. There was also Richard Chapweteka nominated by Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
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In a written response yesterday, Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) director of legal affairs Chizaso Nyirongo said government will announce names of new commissioners once the vetting process is finalised.
He said: “As the process of replacing the commissioners continues, I would suggest that you contact the political parties that made the nominations for the names of the replaced commissioners.”
Presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda referred the issue to OPC, saying it was the right office to comment.
Both DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba and MCP secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda refused to provide details of the nominees.
Section 10 of the MEC Act says subject to the Constitution and to Section 11 (3), any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall not affect its decisions, the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers under the Constitution or any other written law.
Section 75 (1) of the Constitution says the commission shall consist of such other members, not being less than six, as may be appointed in accordance with an Act of Parliament.
