The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has nullified the parliamentary election results for Lilongwe City Mtandire–Mtsiliza Constituency following what it described as “serious misconduct” by a Returning Officer.
In a letter to legal firm Likongwe & Company, dated 27th September 2025, MEC chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja confirmed that investigations into complaints about the handling of polling materials revealed major breaches of procedure.
The Commission found that the Council Returning Officer had opened tamper-evident envelopes containing void votes and purported to examine them, an action MEC said he had no authority to take. According to the Commission, this amounted to misconduct and caused a “serious irregularity,” making it impossible to determine the election outcome with certainty.
The decision followed complaints lodged by candidates through their lawyer, Senior Counsel Pempho Likongwe, who demanded a full recount and flagged harassment of monitors. MEC said its review confirmed that the handling of void votes “departed from legally set procedure” and undermined the integrity of the tally.
The race itself had been one of the tightest contests in the capital. Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate George Zulu claimed victory early on, while Alfred Gangata of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) later announced that he had edged Zulu by just five votes. The duel was set against the backdrop of Lilongwe being an MCP stronghold — a fact that makes Gangata’s claims of victory politically significant, though now nullified.
With the results cancelled and a fresh by-election ordered, the stage is set for a fierce rematch. MCP insiders suggest the party will mount a strong fight to reclaim the seat in its traditional territory, while DPP will likely treat the rerun as an opportunity to test its strength in the capital.
Observers say the ruling underscores the fragility of Malawi’s electoral process but also demonstrates the Commission’s readiness to intervene when credibility is at stake. The by-election date is yet to be announced.
