Malawi to use New Electoral Laws in 2025 Elections
Malawi Electoral Commission MEC has announced that Malawi will use new electoral laws in 2025 elections
Addressing electoral stakeholders in Dowa chairperson of MEC Justice Chifundo Kachale said among others the new laws demand the use of national ID for registering to vote, payment of nomination fees before submitting the papers, 50 plus 1 system, candidates to face criminal prosecution over campaign speeches and fresh elections to be held in 60 not 30 days
Meanwhile Kachale launched by-elections which will be conducted in September in Mwansa ward in Mangochi central constituency and Mtiya ward in Zomba city constituency
Speaking during the launch chairperson of MEC justice Chifundo Kachale said the forthcoming by-elections will be the first to be conducted using the newly enacted electoral laws
As such Kachale says there will be some changes regarding the conduct of elections as compared to the previous polls
He said MEC will register only those who bring national identity cards issued by national registration bureau as indicated in the new laws
Kachale has told stakeholders that no transfers will be accepted in the September by-elections
He adds that the law demands that candidates will now be paying fees before collecting nomination papers
He said registration of voters in the two wards will be opened on 20th August to 26th August as the new law mandates to hold that process in a period of not less than 7 days and not more than 14 days
Official campaign shall start on 2nd August and end on 14th September and under the new law candidates no longer enjoy criminal prosecution hence asking to focus on issue based campaign And bans use of public resources
The MEC chair says the commission will make necessary arrangements to fill the vacancy in Dedza Central constituency
The by-elections will be held following the death of UTM and UDF councilors in Mtiya and Mwansa wards respectively
