What initially appeared to be a Lilongwe-based demonstration is now gaining national momentum, with Blantyre becoming the latest city to join calls for the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja and CEO Andrew Mpesi.
This development comes just hours after people in Mangochi also announced plans to stage their demonstrations, echoing calls for the resignation of the two MEC officials. The Blantyre and Mangochi protests are set to take place on 26 June 2025, the same day as the Lilongwe demonstrations organised by Citizens for Credible Elections (CfCE).
Asabuni Phiri, chairperson of the CfCE Blantyre chapter, confirmed that they will join the Thursday demonstrations, accusing MEC of showing no willingness to be transparent in the September 16, 2025, elections.
“MEC’s rejection of demands by electoral stakeholders to allow an independent audit of the Election Management System (EMS) while clinging onto the use of the Smartmatic supplied Electoral Management Devices (EMDs), is enough evidence for well-meaning Malawians to force the MEC Chairperson and the commission’s CEO to resign,” Phiri stated.
Phiri then indicated that the assembly point is Chichiri Upper stadium, via Chipembere Highway, all the way to the Malawi Electoral Commission’s office in Blantyre, where a petition will be delivered.
Meanwhile, the group has since delivered a letter to the Blantyre District Council notifying authorities of their planned peaceful protest.
However, the group has reminded authorities that “holding peaceful demonstrations is a constitutional right, hence this letter serves to notify your office for proper planning, and not seeking permission.”
