LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group under the banner National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has called newly appointed Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Anabell Mtalimanja to be impartial when executing duties for credible 2025 general elections.
The calls comes hours after President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Judge Mtalimanja and other new commissioners.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, June 20 and signed by NAP chairperson Benedicto Kondowe welcomes Chakwera’s appointment of new MEC Chair Justice Mtalimanja replacing Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale whose tenure expired.
Chakwera has also appointed Rev. Phillip Kambulire and Dr. Limbikani Kamlongera as Commissioners replacing Dr. Anthony Mkumbwa and Olivia Mchanju Liwewe whose term of office also expired.
The appointments are effective June 7, 2024, according to a public statement MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, issued on Thursday.
Benedicto therefore extended heartfelt congratulations to Justice Mtalimanja as well as Kambulire and Kamlongera on their appointments.
“We express our deepest gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson, Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale, for his remarkable leadership. His dedication, hard work, and exemplary conduct have set a high standard, serving as a strong foundation for the incoming Chairperson and her team,” said Kondowe in a statement.
He urged the appointees to steadfastly uphold the Constitution and discharge their mandate in accordance with section 76 of the Constitution of Malawi and section 8 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap. 2:03 of the Laws of Malawi).
Kondowe therefore stressed that impartiality is paramount to ensuring free and fair elections in Malawi.
“And we are confident that under their leadership, the Commission will continue to maintain its integrity and credibility. Congratulations once again to Hon. Justice Mtalimanja, Rev. Kambulire, and Dr. Kamlongera.
“We look forward to a continued commitment to democratic principles and the successful administration of elections in Malawi,” concludes NAP statement.
Malawi will go for general elections in September 2025.
