MEC Dismisses Reports That Chairperson Was Stopped From Leaving Malawi

Malawi Freedom Network
August 25, 2026
Estimated read time 3 min read
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By Suleman Chitera

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that its Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, and other senior officials were stopped by police from leaving the country at Kamuzu International Airport.

In a press statement issued on Monday, 25 August 2026, MEC Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa described the reports as false, saying no Commission official was prevented from travelling by the police.

Mwafulirwa said Justice Mtalimanja and the Deputy Chief Elections Officer responsible for Finance and Administration had been scheduled to travel to Mozambique to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC).

The meeting is scheduled to take place from 25 to 27 August 2026.

However, MEC explained that the officials’ planned travel was still awaiting the necessary approval from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).

The Commission stressed that this administrative process should not be interpreted as a police intervention or an attempt to prevent its officials from travelling.

“There was no incident at Kamuzu International Airport involving the Chairperson or any other MEC official,” the Commission said, clarifying that no MEC official was stopped from leaving the country by the police.

The clarification comes amid reports circulating on social media claiming that Justice Mtalimanja and other senior MEC officials had been prevented from travelling. The Commission has urged members of the public and media organisations to verify such reports directly with MEC before publishing or sharing them.

MEC confirms continued SADC electoral engagement

Despite the controversy surrounding the reports, MEC reaffirmed Malawi’s active participation in the ECF-SADC and its electoral cooperation activities within the region.

**MEC Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa**

The Commission said Malawi remains a member of the ECF-SADC Executive Committee and continues to participate in the organisation’s programmes and meetings.

MEC also highlighted Malawi’s recent role in regional electoral observation. Through the Commission, Malawi recently chaired the ECF-SADC Election Observation Mission to Zambia during that country’s General Elections held on 13 August 2026.

The role reflects Malawi’s continued involvement in regional efforts aimed at strengthening electoral governance, cooperation and democratic processes among SADC member states.

The ECF-SADC brings together electoral management bodies from countries within the Southern African Development Community. The forum provides a platform for electoral commissions to exchange experiences, cooperate on electoral matters and promote credible and democratic electoral processes.

Commission calls for responsible reporting

MEC’s latest statement also underscores the importance of accurate information, particularly concerning the country’s electoral management body and its senior officials.

The Commission has called on media organisations and members of the public to seek clarification from MEC before circulating reports concerning its officials or operations.

The clarification is particularly significant given the role of MEC in managing Malawi’s electoral processes and the potential for unverified claims involving its leadership to generate public concern.

MEC maintained that there was no confrontation involving its officials and police at Kamuzu International Airport and that the planned trip to Mozambique was subject to the required OPC approval.

The Commission has therefore sought to put the matter to rest by distinguishing the pending travel approval from the claim that its officials had been stopped by police from leaving Malawi.