The Malawi Electoral Commission is today conducting by-elections in three constituencies and two wards across the country.
The polls are taking place in Lilongwe City Bwaila, Machinga Mikoko and Balaka Mulunguzi constituencies, as well as Uliwa Ward in Karonga South Constituency and Kanjuli Ward in Machinga Central East Constituency.
At Bambino Polling Centre in Lilongwe City Bwaila Constituency, voting started at 6:00 am as scheduled, but turnout was initially low, with only one voter present at opening time, a monitor for one of the candidates. A second voter arrived 14 minutes later.
In Balaka Mulunguzi Constituency, voting also began in the morning, while at Utale 1 Polling Centre, Presiding Officer Joel Sani confirmed that voting started at 06:10 am, with 1,623 registered voters expected at the centre.
Overall, at least 35,211 voters are expected to participate in Balaka Mulunguzi Constituency alone.
The by-elections are being held following vacancies caused by deaths of incumbents and court rulings that nullified results from the September 16, 2025 General Election.
For instance, in Lilongwe City Bwaila and Balaka Mulunguzi constituencies, the court ordered fresh parliamentary elections after certifying irregularities in the 16 September 2025 polls.
