Citizens for Credible Elections Granted Permission to Protest in Lilongwe

By Suleman Chitera,

A civil rights group known as Citizens for Credible Elections (CfCE), which advocates for electoral integrity in Malawi, has been granted permission to hold demonstrations in Lilongwe aimed at pressuring two senior officials of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to resign.

CfCE, led by Sylvester Namiwa, is demanding the resignation of MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi, citing a lack of trust in their ability to manage free and fair elections.

According to an official letter signed by Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer Lawford Palani, the demonstrations will take place on June 26. Protesters plan to deliver a petition at the council offices in the presence of a representative from MEC.

CfCE maintains that the current leadership of MEC has lost public confidence and must step down for credible elections to take place in the country.