Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (Cseif) has urged President Lazarus Chakwera to act swiftly in restoring the full membership of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) which has a vacancy of four commissioners.
In a statement dated June 11 2025, Cseif chairperson Benedicto Kondowe urged the President to ensure that the vetting process and subsequent appointment is concluded urgently.
Kondowe argued that Section 10 of the Electoral Commission Act, which says a vacancy shall not affect the commission’s functions or powers, cannot cover for public trust, especially now when there is political mistrust and electoral scepticism.
Reads the statement in part: “The current incomplete composition not only risks undermining the credibility of MEC’s decisions but may also fall short of constitutional expectations, particularly if decisions are taken in the absence of balanced political representation.”
Kondowe expressed concern that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has no representation in the commission while Malawi Congress Party (MCP) retains only two commissioners despite that Section 75 (1) of the Constitution says the commission shall be composed of “not less than six” members.
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 DPP, namely Emmanuel Fabiano, Caroline Mfune and Francis Kasaila who resigned on April 23 this year. There was also Richard Chapweteka nominated by MCP.
In a written response on Tuesday, Office of the President and Cabinet director of legal affairs Chizaso Nyirongo said government will announce names of new commissioners once the vetting process is finalised.
“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,” he said.
