DPP, UTM, five others take MEC to court over refusal of independent election audit

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM Party, and five others have taken the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to court over its refusal to allow an independent audit of the electoral process ahead of the September 2025 General Elections.

This follows a ruling by the High Court in Blantyre, where Honourable Justice Matapa Kacheche on Monday granted the group permission to proceed with a judicial review against key decisions made by MEC in preparation for the upcoming polls.

At the centre of the legal challenge is MEC’s decision to deny the claimants’ request for an independent audit of its electronic electoral systems. The claimants argue that without an audit, the credibility and transparency of the elections are at risk.

They are also contesting MEC’s implementation of electronic voter identification devices and the planned electronic transmission of election results, saying the systems lack public trust and could compromise the integrity of the electoral outcome.

The five other claimants joining DPP and UTM are Hon. Kamlepo Kalua, Luther Mambala, Bishop Chimwemwe Mtuwa, Evangelist Stevie Chimwaza, and Jubeck Monjeza.

Justice Kacheche directed that the matter be heard with urgency to allow the court to rule before the 16 September elections, and further ordered all parties to strictly follow civil procedure rules.

The claimants are being represented by Robert Lexis Global Consultants, a Blantyre-based legal firm.