The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has authorised mainstream media houses to begin announcing unofficial results, following the close of voting across all polling centres.
MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja explained that the clearance was delayed earlier in the evening because Blantyre Manja polling centre was still conducting voting. That station faced a two-hour technical challenge during the day, forcing MEC to extend the polling period until around 8:00pm.
Now that all centres have officially closed, Mtalimanja confirmed that the mainstream media such as Zodiak, Times, MBC and other accredited online platforms may begin releasing results from their reporters on the ground. She emphasised that such figures remain unofficial but help to give the public a clear picture of trends as counting progresses.
The announcement comes after concerns about disinformation, with observers condemning a DPP-linked online news outlet, Malawi Voice, for publishing “self-serving” and misleading numbers.
“This is the moment of truth,” said one analyst. “Numbers don’t lie. But fake entries can, and many people who relied on propaganda instead of facts will soon be shocked by the reality on the ground.”
