The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has called on all presidential candidates for the September 16 general elections to use their campaign platforms to promote peace.
MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja made the appeal on Thursday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the submission of nomination papers by some presidential hopefuls.
“Not only presidential candidates but also those aspiring for parliamentary and ward council seats should encourage their supporters to maintain peace during this campaign period,” Mtalimanja said.
On the first day of nominations, MEC approved two out of three presidential submissions after a preliminary inspection. Some of those cleared are: Dr. Joyce Banda of the People’s Party, who has picked Khumbo Kachali as her running mate. Professor Arther Peter Munthalika of Democratic Progressive Party who has chosen Dr. Jane Ansah as running mate.
However, MEC rejected the nomination papers of Dr. Daniel Dube, president of the Nationalist Patriotic Party, citing missing documents, including a declaration from his running mate, retired Justice Dustain Mwaungulu, an incomplete confirmation section, and lack of a national ID copy and passport photo.
“Once these issues are addressed, the revised documents can be submitted to MEC headquarters,” Mtalimanja said.
Dr. Dube admitted the oversight and pledged to resubmit corrected documents before the July 30, 4:00 PM deadline.
Meanwhile, former President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), independent candidate Milward Tobias, and Frank Mwenifumbo of the National Development Party (NDP) are expected to submit their papers on Friday.
MEC began receiving nomination papers for all aspiring candidates on Thursday, July 24, 2025, with the process running until July 30, 2025. Parliamentary and ward council hopefuls are submitting their papers through Constituency Returning Officers in their respective areas.
