Africa-Press – Malawi. The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (Cseif) has raised concerns over the continued delay by President Lazarus Chakwera in appointing four new commissioners to the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec).
Cseif has warned that the hold-up threatens the credibility and functionality of the electoral body ahead of the September 16 General Elections.
Commissioners Emmanuel Fabiano and Caroline Mfune, both nominated by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), completed their terms on June 8, while Commissioner Francis Kasaila (DPP) resigned on April 23.
Richard Chapweteka, nominated by Malawi Congress Party (MCP), also vacated his post, bringing the number of vacant seats to four.
Kunkuyu But government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu insisted that Chakwera’s government is built on the firm premise of adherence to the rule of law.
“The credibility and functionality of the Malawi Electoral Commission will remain intact under this administration,” Kunkuyu said.
In a statement issued by Cseif chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, the organisation says it is concerned that the commission is currently operating below the minimum constitutional requirement, following the expiry of terms for two commissioners and the resignation of two others.
“This delay comes at a critical time when the commission must remain fully functional, impartial and representative to inspire confidence in its decisions and processes ahead of the 2025 polls,” the statement says.
The group has also expressed particular concern over the lack of representation for DPP, which currently has no commissioners on Mec, and noted that MCP is left with only two representatives on the panel.
“Although Section 10 of the Electoral Commission Act stipulates that a vacancy shall not affect the commission’s functions or powers, legal provisions cannot replace the importance of public trust and political legitimacy, especially amid growing political scepticism,” the statement reads.
Cseif has also cited Section 75(1) of the Constitution, which requires Mec to have “not less than six” members.
With only four commissioners currently in place, the civil society group warns that this risks rendering Mec decisions constitutionally questionable and politically unbalanced.
The forum has reminded the President that political parties are mandated under Section 4(2) of the Electoral Commission Act to submit nominees and THAT any delay in acting on these nominations could compromise Mec’s impartiality and the legality of its decisions.
“We therefore call upon His Excellency the President to act prudently and swiftly to restore the commission’s full membership by ensuring that the vetting process is concluded without further delay and that the appointment of the nominated commissioners follows immediately thereafter,” the statement adds.
Cseif has further urged that future nomination and vetting processes be concluded well before the expiry of terms to avoid operational gaps and public suspicion of political manipulation.
“Mec cannot afford to operate in a vacuum or with a compromised mandate. A fully functional, politically balanced and legitimate commission is not just a legal imperative but a democratic necessity,” the statement says.
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