By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), alongside other opposition parties, is raising alarms over what it describes as violations of electoral laws and demands for a free and fair election in Malawi. The party has specifically called for the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Anabel Mtalimanja, accusing her of political bias and unprofessionalism.
DPP claims that Mtalimanja, appointed under political influence, has shown a disregard for electoral justice by failing to address concerns raised by various opposition parties, including AFORD, UDF, and UTM. These parties have expressed frustration with her handling of the electoral process, which they believe threatens the credibility of the upcoming 2025 elections.
One of the key issues fueling the opposition’s discontent is MEC’s decision to use technology from Smartmatic, a company with a controversial track record in both Europe and Africa. The opposition alleges that Smartmatic has been linked to corruption and incompetency in previous elections, and they fear that its use in Malawi could undermine the integrity of the voting process. DPP and UTM argue that deploying Smartmatic technology could result in a flawed election that does not reflect the will of the Malawian people.
UTM has also joined DPP in voicing these concerns, standing firm on the demand for electoral justice. This growing coalition of opposition voices is unified in its belief that the current MEC leadership and electoral strategies are undermining democratic principles in Malawi.
The opposition has further accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of threatening democracy, pointing to recent incidents on November 13, where MCP supporters reportedly disrupted peaceful demonstrations with weapons, including panga knives and catapults. DPP leaders argue that such acts demonstrate MCP’s disregard for democratic values and urge Malawians to hold them accountable at the ballot box in the 2025 elections.
The call for Mtalimanja’s resignation and a return to electoral fairness marks a significant moment in Malawi’s political landscape, with multiple parties standing together to demand reforms. The opposition remains steadfast in its resolve to uphold electoral justice, calling on MEC to guarantee a transparent process that accurately reflects the people’s choice.
As Malawi approaches the 2025 elections, DPP and allied parties are pushing for a return to transparent electoral practices, urging Malawians to ensure democracy prevails.
