By Chisomo Phiri
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Justice Chifundo Kachale has urged political parties in the country to make themselves conversant with the new electoral laws so as to ensure a smooth electoral process in 2025.
Kachale said this on Wednesday while officially opening an electoral laws meeting in Dowa which brought together MEC commissioners, officials from National Registration Bureau (NRB) registered political parties and members of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy.
“This meeting is very significant because it is the first time that MEC will be using the amended electoral laws to implement an electoral activity.
“So we believe it is important that we engage our stakeholders who are political parties to make sure that they are fully aware of the changes,” said Kachale.
Kachale said, for example, in the new electoral laws, the polling time has changed from 6 AM to 6 PM to 6 AM to 4 PM and voters need to be aware of the changes so that they do not miss the voting time.
He said:”Previously people would insult each other during the campaign but were not answerable, now they need to know that the laws have changed and it’s a criminal offence to utter insulting words during the campaign.”
Kachale disclosed that currently, the commission has made a deliberate policy to frequently engage with its stakeholders to foster collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity in the elections.
He indicated that soon, MEC is scheduled to conduct by-elections in Zomba and Mangochi this September using the new laws that were operationalised in June this year.
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