Opposition Parties Call for Resignation of MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and CEO David Mpesi Over Alleged MCP Ties

By Burnett Munthali

Several opposition parties in Malawi are demanding the immediate resignation of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Executive Officer David Mpesi, accusing them of having close ties with the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP). The parties argue that these associations compromise the integrity of the upcoming 2025 elections.

• ACB Urged to Act on Chithyola Corruption Allegations as Public Trust Wants Answers
  By Jones Gadama The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Malawi is facing mounting pressure to take immediate action on allegations of…
• Judiciary Under Siege: CDEDI Demands Immediate Resignation of Chief Justice and Attorney General Over Corruption Claims
  By Suleman Chitera The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum demanding the…
• MCP member welcomes wholeheartedly Chilima’s new investigation
  By Vincent Gunde Social influencer who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member Gerald Chavez Kampanikiza of Dedza, says Malawians…
• Parliamentary Absenteeism Reaches Crisis Point: 159 MPs Skip Sitting
  By Burnett Munthali A staggering 159 members of parliament were absent from the latest parliamentary sitting, sparking widespread concerns about…
• Senior Citizen Urges Malawian Parliament to Strengthen Oversight After Supreme Court Finance Bank Ruling
  By Suleman Chitera In a thoughtful and patriotic open letter addressed to the Parliament of Malawi, senior citizen Willard Mhone…
• Imran Jumbe Hails Mutharika for Fresh Chilima Crash Inquiry
  By Suleman Chitera President of the Chilungamo Party, Imran Jumbe, has commended President Peter Mutharika for ordering a fresh and…
• UNCOVERING THE TRUTH: Why a Fresh Inquiry into Chikangawa Plane Crash is a Necessity
  By Jones Gadama The announcement by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango to institute a fresh inquiry into…
• Can Parliamentarians Walking Out of Parliament Solve the Country’s Problems?
  By Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent For the past thirty years, since the dawn of multiparty politics in Malawi,…

The opposition has expressed dissatisfaction with the way preparations for next year’s elections are being handled, citing the introduction of new and unfamiliar voting procedures as a major concern. The introduction of electronic vote-counting machines by MEC has been a particular point of contention, with opposition parties fearing that this could open the door to vote rigging in favor of the ruling party.

In a joint statement, opposition leaders expressed their concern: “The new voting system proposed by MEC is questionable, and it has not been explained clearly to the public. We fear that these machines could be manipulated to favor the ruling party, and this raises doubts about the transparency of the elections.”

The opposition also criticized MEC for refusing to engage independent audit firms to monitor the electoral process, as was done in previous elections. They argue that having independent observers is crucial for maintaining transparency and ensuring that the elections are free and fair.

“It is shocking that MEC has refused to bring in independent audit companies to monitor the election process, which was standard practice in the past. Without such oversight, the credibility of the elections is at risk,” said a spokesperson for the opposition.

As tensions rise ahead of the 2025 elections, the opposition has vowed to continue pressing for reforms within MEC, including the resignation of Mtalimanja and Mpesi. They argue that only with impartial leadership can MEC ensure that the elections are conducted fairly and without bias.

For now, MEC has defended its actions, stating that the new voting procedures are intended to modernize the election process and improve efficiency. However, with the growing pressure from opposition parties and their supporters, the debate over the conduct of the 2025 elections is likely to intensify in the coming months.

The opposition’s demands underscore the high stakes involved in Malawi’s upcoming elections, and all eyes will be on how MEC responds to these concerns as the election date approaches.