The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has on Thursday launched and released the calendar for the by-elections in the five constituencies and nine wards that did not conduct elections on 16th September 2025 general elections.
The forthcoming 17th March 2026 by-elections follow the death of candidates, nullification of results, and postponement of last year’s 16th September elections by the electoral board.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimaja announced that the official campaign period had started with immediate effect and will close on 15th March, 2026.
“We declare the official campaign commences and note that MEC shall close it on 15 March this year, paving way for voters to cast their votes,” Mtalimanja said.
Mtalimanja further clarified that candidates who were duly nominated in the 16th September elections will not be allowed to switch political party allegiance.
“No candidate who was duly nominated in the previous year’s election is to switch a party, similarly, political parties that sponsored a candidate in the recent previous election will not be allowed to replace their candidates,” she said.
In his remarks, Chairperson for the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF), an election watchdog Benedicto Kondowe says it is committed to facilitate provision of information to concerned constituents on the voting process.
Kondowe said, “MEC needs to provide all necessary information to the voters so that they can make informed choices during the voting period”.
He further added that CSEIF expects the electoral board to continue discharging its mandate fairly, objectively and professionally to ensure all contestants are given equal opportunity to the challenge.
“To ensure free and credible by-elections, we need transparency and accountability from the voting management.” he said.
The 17th March by-elections are expected to be conducted in wards such as Mikongo in Mangochi North East constituency, Luwinga ward in Mzuzu City North Constituency and parliamentary by-elections in Nkhotakota Liwaladzi constituency in Nkhotakota district and Rumphi central constituency among others.
