Africa-Press – Malawi. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed doubt over the government’s ability to facilitate the free handling of the September 16, 2025 Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
HRW says, in a statement released Tuesday, that the “apparent” unwillingness of State agencies to ensure the prevalence of law and order was concerning.
It cites the handling of last Thursday’s peaceful protects in Lilongwe, where Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence agents watched helplessly as panga-wielding people attacked protesters who demanded the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Judge Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mpesi.
“The police’s apparent unwillingness to intervene to stop the violence or arrest those responsible raises grave concerns about the government a ability to conduct the September general elections in a fair and impartial manner,” the statement reads.
HRW has since called on the government to investigate the attack and prosecute those involved. Looms
“Malawian authorities need to investigate this brutal attack on peaceful demonstrators and ensure that those responsible are appropriately punished,” the statement reads.
“For Malawians to have confidence in the fairness of the upcoming elections, they need to be sure the police will respond promptly and impartially to threats or acts of violence, no matter who is responsible,” the organisation says.
HRW has also faulted Mec for its conduct towards the elections.
“The electoral commission’s unwillingness to allow various local organisations access to voter rolls to inspect it for any inconveniences that can lead to vote rigging has heightened citizens and civil society’s concerns about the fairness of the elections,” the statement says
HRW reminds the government that it is responsible for upholding the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and ensuring that demonstrators can safely protest in line with the Republican Constitution and international standards.
“Malawi is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which set out these rights,” the statement reads.
“Ahead of a crucial general election in September, authorities need to send a strong message that human rights violations will not be tolerated,” HRW adds.
President Lazarus Chakwera has already condemned the violence and called for reports from ministers of Homeland Security and his counterpart at the Ministry of Defence.
Several institutions condemned the violence and urged the government to take action.
However, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya said last week that it was not fair to say that the police did not do anything during the Lilongwe protests.
He argued that the police saved the leader of the demonstrations Sylvester Namiwa from a possible abduction by the panga-wielding individuals.
Mec has maintained that it follows the law when executing its duty.
For More News And Analysis About Malawi Follow Africa-Press
