The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is facing internal pressure over its planned relocation to Blantyre, a move that has sparked concerns among staff and stakeholders. The MEC staff union has demanded a meeting with the full commission within seven days to address their concerns, which include the relocation of the commission's headquarters from Lilongwe to Blantyre, as directed by President Peter Mutharika's Executive order in October 2025. The union also raised concerns about the uncertainty of the lease for Chisankho House in Lilongwe and the sealing of the Njewa warehouse.
The MEC staff union expressed dissatisfaction with the response from MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja, who said the commission would continue operating from Lilongwe until the matter is resolved by the courts. In her response, Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court of Malawi, noted that MEC sought clarification on whether the President's directive amounted to unlawful interference with the commission's constitutional independence. The union's concerns were conveyed in a letter to Mtalimanja on September 21, 2026, which stated that the chairperson's response failed to adequately address employees' concerns or provide clear commitments on outstanding matters.
The relocation dispute has also affected Chisankho House, where MEC remains despite the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development communicating its decision not to renew the previous lease. The commission's presence in the building has created uncertainty, and the union's concerns about the lease have added to the pressure on MEC. Furthermore, the sealing of the Njewa warehouse forced MEC to postpone by-elections slated for September 29, 2026, in Mangochi East and Nsanje South, as it could not access some electoral materials.
The union's demand for a meeting has faced resistance from commissioner Limbikani Kamlongera, who protested the manner in which the memorandum was delivered. In a response addressed to MEC Staff Union president Edward Kalonga, vice-president Sylvester Luka, and executive member Evance Afati, Kamlongera described the manner in which the memorandum was served on her as a serious breach of protocol and personal security. Luka said in an interview that the union had taken note of Kamlongera's communication and remained committed to resolving the issues through constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and established institutional processes.
MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said matters raised by employees or their representatives will be handled through the appropriate institutional channels. The developments have raised concern among electoral stakeholders, who fear that the situation could affect confidence in MEC as it prepares for forthcoming by-elections and the 2030 general elections. Centre for Multiparty Democracy executive director Boniface Chibwana said the situation could have implications for the commission's credibility.
Civil Society Elections Integrity Platform chairperson Benedict Kondowe said staff demands for dialogue should be taken seriously before internal grievances begin to affect MEC's constitutional mandate. Kondowe emphasized the need for MEC to address the concerns of its staff to ensure the smooth operation of the commission. Gift Sambo, an expert in electoral and legislative politics at the University of Malawi, called for the need to put in place legal and institutional mechanisms meant to insulate MEC from unnecessary interference from political actors.
President Mutharika issued Executive order No. 1 of 2025 on October 10, 2025, directing MEC, along with Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority and Malawi Housing Corporation, to move their headquarters from Lilongwe back to Blantyre. MEC initially moved to Lilongwe in June 2023 to lower operational costs. The commission's relocation plans have sparked concerns about the potential impact on its operations and the electoral process in Malawi.
Key points
- MEC faces internal pressure over relocation to Blantyre
- Staff union demands meeting with full commission within seven days
- Relocation plans spark concerns about potential impact on operations and electoral process
