Police catch election fever

On Monday, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) met with Mzuzu City Council chief executive officer, district commissioners and officers in-charge (OCs) of police stations in the Northern Region to level the political playfield ahead of  the September 16 2025 General Election. Our Staff Reporter RALPH MVONA caught up with Commissioner of Police Richard Luhanga.

How crucial are the OCs in the quest for free and fair polls?

Nothing has changed much. Enforcing law and order remains our responsibility. Since time immemorial, elections have been managed by the entire police organisation, with the OCs leading from the forefront. As commissioners, we have always been there to support OCs. We are ready to undertake this task and deliver to the best of our ability.

How prepared are you to help the nation hold elections that are not only credible but also free from violence?

Our duty is simple: Providing a safe environment where all electoral activities can take place without fear or favour. So, before, during and after the elections, we will be available to provide the necessary security that Malawians require to enjoy their right to choose the leaders they want. So, we will be working day and night to help the Electoral Commission ensure that everyone abides by the law.

In your speech, you called for a national elections security plan. How crucial is this step in this critical democratic process?

: There is already a team that has been mandated to develop this national elections security plan that will inform us how the police is going to work to make the 2025 General Elections free and fair for all. In that plan, there will be all the security requirements for a violence-free election. The only thing is that it needs to be resourced adequately so that the police can effectively discharge their duties.  The  police are in charge of [the security process]. There is an election task force that has been established and  it is this task force that will do the planning together with all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission.

So, what happens from now moving forward to make the security blueprint work?

I think what is important is that it gets developed and financed. Once it is developed, we will start lobbying for resources from both government and development partners to support us with the implementation of that plan.