Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Chairperson, Judge Annabel Mtalimanja, has said the commission will start receiving nomination papers soon after the dissolution of Parliament.
Mtalimanja made the remarks during a press briefing held in Lilongwe yesterday to update stakeholders on election preparations.
“The commission has considered desirable that the nomination process be aligned with the dissolution of the National Assembly, as provided under Section 67(1) of the Constitution, which also sets the date of polling, and Section 147(5) of the Constitution, which provides for the dissolution of Local Government authorities on 23rd July 2025,” Mtalimanja said.
She said the commission would start receiving nomination papers from July 24 to 30 to align with the official end of term for members of Parliament and councillors, which is July 23, as stipulated by the Republican Constitution.
“Important guidance on the nomination process. Candidates and their election representatives are advised that they have the right, during the entire nomination period, to request the commission to examine their nomination papers and supporting documents before formal submission. This will help ensure completeness and compliance with legal requirements,” Mtalimanja further said.
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She also said presidential candidates would submit their nomination papers at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe and those contesting for member of Parliament position would have to submit papers in their respective areas.
She further said the official campaign period would run for 60 days, thus from July 14 to September 14 starting at 6 o’clock in the morning.
The Mec chairperson also said, on voting day, those who would be present at the polling station by 4pm would be able to vote despite the system closing at 4pm during registration and voter verification.
“We are not going to vote using the system; the voting will be done manually and we are going to use the biometric system,” Mtalimanja said.
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Malawians will cast votes for president, lawmaker and ward councillor on September 16 this year.
