By Burnett Munthali
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has released a detailed electoral calendar ahead of the country’s highly anticipated 2025 General Elections.
According to the revised schedule issued on April 4, 2025, Malawians will head to the polls on 16th September 2025 to elect the President, Members of Parliament, and Ward Councillors.
The process begins with the inspection of the Interim Voters’ Register from 13 May to 31 May 2025.
From 10 June to 22 June 2025, aspiring Local Government candidates will be required to pay nomination fees and collect their nomination forms.
Parliamentary aspirants will follow shortly thereafter, with the window for payment of fees and collection of nomination forms set for 10 June to 5 July 2025.
Presidential aspirants will also collect and submit their nomination forms from the MEC Head Office during the same period, 10 June to 5 July 2025.
Pre-examination of Local Government Elections nomination forms will take place in the respective constituencies between 18 and 19 June 2025.
This will be followed by the presentation of Local Government nomination papers in Constituency Tally Centres from 20 to 22 June 2025.
Pre-examination of nomination papers for Presidential and Parliamentary elections will occur from 29 to 30 June 2025, with presidential nominations taking place at the MEC Head Office and parliamentary ones in the constituencies.
The names of nominated Local Government candidates will be published in the Gazette from 1 to 5 July 2025.
During the same period, from 1 to 5 July 2025, Presidential and Parliamentary candidates will present their nomination papers.
The MEC will publish the names of Presidential and Parliamentary candidates in the Gazette on 12 July 2025, with venues for Presidential nominations yet to be determined.
On 14 July 2025, ballot paper templates will be vetted by party or candidate representatives for Parliamentary and Local Government elections in the councils.
The official campaign period will commence on 14 July 2025, following the conclusion of nomination processes and template vetting.
Political parties and candidates will have until 31 August 2025 to submit names of their representatives for polling to MEC.
The campaign period will come to an official close at 06:00 hours on 14 September 2025, just two days before the voting day.
Malawians will cast their votes on 16 September 2025, with voting centres open from 6:00 AM and closing at 4:00 PM.
Counting and declaration of the Presidential election results will take place between 16 and 24 September 2025.
The Parliamentary election results will be counted and declared between 16 and 30 September 2025.
Local Government election results will be processed and declared between 16 September and 7 October 2025.
MEC’s detailed calendar reflects a commitment to a transparent, timely, and organized electoral process that promises to shape the political landscape of Malawi.
