By Evance Chisiano

Blantyre, May 7, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission says the newly amended electoral laws will ensure law and order in the electoral process towards aspired free and credible general election.

Commissioner responsible for media and civic education, Francis Kasaira made the remarks in Blantyre during stakeholder’s awareness meeting on Monday.

“The laws are meant to provide order in the field of play for all contesters. The amended laws will ensure credible elections which should be accepted by all electoral stakeholders,” Kasaira said as he responded to questions from the stakeholders that sought clarifications on the amended electoral laws.

Stakeholders among them chiefs, party, youth, civil society organizations, faith leaders discussed amended electoral laws, electoral calendar, constituencies boundaries among others,

“You have a big role to play in the 2025 general elections,” Kasaira said and called on those that attended the awareness meeting to further disseminate information about the amended electoral laws to their subjects to ensure they are  aware of what the law says about the elections. 

District Commissioner for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko called on political parties to follow proper procedures before holding campaign meetings.

He observed that some campaigners bypass office of the District Commissioners and the police when holding campaign meetings, adding that “this is not procedurals as this create conflicts in case another campaigner book the same venue,”

Mdooko therefore called on political parties to be cooperative with his office to ensure order during the campaign meetings.

“Electoral stakeholders have roles and responsibilities to ensure that elections are violence free. Some stakeholders forget their roles and responsibilities and in the end the DC is left alone to deal with electoral conflicts,” the District Commissioner added and assured MEC that the council will work diligently to ensure smooth electoral process.

He also called on party representative to instill sense of responsibility and patriotism among the youth whom he said are mostly exploited to cause chaos during campaign meetings.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) District Governor for Blantyre Rural, Peter Bell commended MEC for organizing the stakeholder’s awareness saying the meeting provided great opportunity for the stakeholders to get reliable information on electoral issues ahead of the 2025 general elections.