A WEB

Following the successful conduct of the 16 September 2025 General Election, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has officially launched the calendar of activities for the forthcoming by-elections, which will be held on 17 March 2026.

The launch was made on 15 January 2026 through a national address delivered by the Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja. The by-elections are being organized to fill vacancies in four constituencies and nine wards.

According to the Commission, the vacancies resulted from various circumstances such as postponement of electoral processes, death of duly nominated candidates, nullification of elections by the Commission or the courts, and cases where winning candidates assumed other public offices.

In her address, Justice Mtalimanja emphasized that the by-elections are being conducted in strict compliance with Section 63(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which requires that vacancies be filled expeditiously and within the next quarter of the calendar year, unless circumstances do not permit.

“The Commission is committed to implementing all the by-election processes in accordance with the laws governing the conduct of elections to ensure free, fair and credible by-elections,” she said. 

The Chairperson outlined key highlights of the electoral calendar leading to polling day. Voter registration will be conducted for seven days from 31 January to 6 February 2026, targeting eligible citizens aged 18 years and above who did not register during the 2025 General Election. Those who already registered in 2025 need not register again, as double registration is an offence. The Commission has also advised that there will be no transfer of voters during these by-elections.

The inspection of the voters’ register will take place on 17 and 18 February 2026, allowing voters to confirm their details at their registration centres or through the *2509# platform on TNM and Airtel networks.

Nomination of candidates will follow, with clear guidance on eligibility, nomination fees and special provisions aimed at encouraging the participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The official campaign period, which commenced on 15 January 2026, will run for 60 days and close on 15 March 2026 at 6:00am. MEC has urged all candidates and political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns and to refrain from violence, hate speech, use of public resources and the distribution of handouts.

Polling will be held on 17 March 2026 from 6:00am to 4:00pm, followed immediately by vote counting at polling stations, with results expected to be announced by 20 March 2026.

As she concluded her address, Justice Mtalimanja appealed to all stakeholders and voters to participate peacefully and responsibly, noting that every election is “equally important and serious business.” She further encouraged political parties and candidates to use the by-elections as an opportunity to promote inclusive participation, particularly for women, youth and persons with disabilities, as Malawi continues to consolidate its democratic processes.