By Mercy Matonga:
Sheriffs in Lilongwe Wednesday sealed a Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) warehouse at Njewa, where the commission stores its equipment, after it allegedly failed to pay rent.
Mec Director of Communications Sangwani Mwafulirwa confirmed the development.
“I confirm [that that has happened,” Mwafulirwa said in a WhatsApp response.
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In a press statement, Mwafulirwa said the lease for the warehouse expired on March 31, 2026 and that, before its expiry, Mec had commenced the process of renewing tenancy negotiations with the landlord and the processes were concluded in good time.
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“However, in compliance with the government’s expenditure control measures, as announced in February 2026, the commission sought the requisite government approval before executing the lease.
“Accordingly, the commission submitted a request seeking authorisation to renew the lease. To date, the commission is yet to receive a response from the government,” the statement reads.
The statement adds that Mec is actively engaging the relevant government authorities and the landlord with a view to resolving the outstanding administrative processes and regularising the lease arrangement as soon as possible.
Malawi Judiciary spokesperson Ruth Mputeni also confirmed to The Daily Times that the court issued a warrant of distress authorising sheriffs to recover rental arrears for the Mec warehouse at Njewa in Lilongwe.
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According to Mputeni, the warrant was executed through the seizure of motor vehicles and the sealing of the warehouse to recover about K754 million on behalf of the landlord, Azmy Ali Jawad.
“The sheriffs were acting upon that warrant of distress to recover the rental arrears,” Mputeni said.
The closure of the warehouse comes amid ongoing court battles between the government and Mec over the government’s plan to relocate the commission’s headquarters from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
Recently, the High Court granted leave for judicial review and constitutional review proceedings challenging decisions seeking to relocate the Mec from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
The order followed an application by the Malawi Congress Party, Emanuel Chambulanyina Jere and others through their lawyer, Jivason Kadzipatike.
Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda granted permission for the matter to proceed.
The claimants are challenging a decision by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Justin Saidi, dated February 27, 2026, which allegedly directed, reaffirmed, endorsed and implemented an Executive Order issued by President Peter Mutharika requiring the relocation of Mec from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
