Electoral commission chair's independence questioned

Questions are being asked in Malawi about the independence of its electoral commission chairperson. There is a perception that Anabel Ntalimanja, who is also the daughter of the late John Tembo, a veteran of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), is not independent, reports Malawi24. This perception is raising questions about the openness, fairness and integrity of the 2025 general elections. There are concerns from the general public that some key positions within the Malawi Electoral Commission, including that of the chief executive officer are being occupied by MCP sympathisers. The strategic transfer of district commissioners, who often serve as returning officers during elections, has also raised concerns about the potential manipulation of election outcomes. There is a suspicion that these officials are being moved in a way that favours the MCP. In addition, the decision to use the Smartmatic system, which has faced controversies in other countries such as Mozambique, has raises questions about the reliability and transparency of the electoral process.

Full Malawi24 report