Early Christmas for MCP’s Lawrence Chaziya as MEC declares him MP unopposed

It is early Christmas for Lawrence Chaziya of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) after the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) declared him the duly elected Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency without the need for an election.

MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja confirmed that Chaziya was the sole nominated candidate for the parliamentary seat, with no other contenders submitting nomination papers before the deadline.

In line with Section 45 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act (2023), he was automatically declared elected.

“The Commission hereby endorses the declaration that Mr. Lawrence CHAZIYA has been duly elected, uncontested, as Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency,” reads part of the statement.

This means MEC will not hold elections in Lilongwe Chilobwe during the nationwide polls scheduled for September 16. Chaziya will proceed directly to the National Assembly, skipping the usual campaign process and securing what many locals are calling an early festive gift.