By Burnett Munthali
Political and social commentator Rivk Dzida has expressed serious concerns over the leadership of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Annabel Ntalimanja.
Dzida described Ntalimanja as “numerophobic,” a term implying fear or discomfort with handling numbers—something he suggests is a troubling trait for someone managing national elections.
He argued that her apparent struggle with numerical and data-related matters raises questions about her overall competence in overseeing the electoral process.
Dzida further claimed that Ntalimanja’s dependence on the international technology company Smartmatic to manage the elections is not surprising given her alleged discomfort with numbers.
He implied that such dependence might undermine local accountability and transparency in the election process.
According to Dzida, this reliance also partly explains Ntalimanja’s reluctance or paranoia towards allowing independent auditors to examine the electoral management systems.
He suggested that her resistance to external scrutiny could stem from a lack of confidence in her capacity to manage a robust and transparent election process.
Dzida’s remarks have sparked debate on the integrity and preparedness of the MEC ahead of the country’s next general elections.
His critique adds to growing public scrutiny of the Commission’s role in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Malawi.
