Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), on Monday visited polling centres in Linthembwe Ward in Dowa to monitor the pre-inspection of polling materials ahead of the by-elections scheduled for Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
The pre-inspection exercise was also conducted at all polling stations in wards and constituencies where the by-elections will take place.
During the exercise, presiding officers and polling staff, in the presence of party and independent candidate agents, opened boxes containing ballot papers and cartons carrying polling materials to verify that the items were correct and in the required quantities.
The verification process was aimed at ensuring transparency and building confidence among stakeholders ahead of the polls.
Immediately after the pre-inspection, presiding officers conducted training on polling procedures and results management at each station.
Representatives of political parties, independent candidates and election observers were also invited to attend the training sessions.
Speaking after visiting Msukamakoza Full Primary School, Justice Mtalimanja urged registered voters in the by-election areas to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes.
She emphasized that the right to vote during a by-election is just as important as voting during general elections, adding that polling will run from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm and all voters in the queue by closing time will still be allowed to vote.
