Malawians To Elect President On July 2 2020

Casting vote in a ballot box

Malawians will once again to the poll to elect new president on 2nd July 2020, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has announced.

Fresh presidential elections were called on 3rd February, when the High Court sitting as Constitutional Court in Lilongwe delivered a judgement in which it nullified the 2019 presidential elections and ordered that fresh election be held within 150 days.

MEC announced the date on Monday in Blantyre during the launch of the presidential election electoral calendar.

The event was only restricted to journalists as adherence to government measure on prevention and management of Coronavirus pandemic. On Friday last week, president Peter Mutharika declared the country ‘State of Disaster’ due to the threat of the pandemic and announced that public gatherings should not to exceed 100 people.

Voters at voting booth

In her remarks MEC chairperson, Justice Dr. Jane Ansah said the commission is ready having done a groundwork. 

She said; “2nd July 2020 is the 149th day from 3rd February 2020” the day the judgement that nullified May 19, 2019 presidential elections was delivered.

Among activities for the calendar Ansah said the voter registration and transfers will begin from 4th April to 7th June 2020 and will be done in four phases. 

“Each phase will have 14 days.” She indicated adding that there will be no extension of voter registration dates.

She said MEC will register all aged 18 years or will attain voting age by 7 June 2020 or never registered as voters during 2019 Tripartite Elections and the three by-elections held thereafter.

However, commenting on Coronavirus threat, Ansah said electoral activities will be affected by the disease as well as the government measures which restricts gathering of not more than 100 people.

She said safety measures will be followed at MEC offices and in places where electoral processes will take place including provision of water and hand sanitizers for use in all places, observe social distance between individuals and organize meetings of less than 100 people.

“Further to the safety of staff and voters, the successful implementation of the election calendar that is being launched today will be subject to mitigation of the impact of the coronavirus including travel embargos and shutdown of election materials production companies.” Said Ansah

It is expected that incumbent president Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who has made an electoral alliance with the United Democratic Front (UDF) will face a stiff competition from Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and incumbent state vice president Saulos Chilima of United Transformation Party (UTM).

Chakwera MCP Leader

Chilima UTM Leader

Both MCP and UTM have signed an electoral alliance on march 19, 2020 but are yet to announce the person to lead the alliance as presidential candidate and running mate for the upcoming polls.

In MCP and UTM alliance it includes other opposition parties; Peoples Party (PP) of Joyce Banda, Umodzi Party (UP) of John Chisi, People’s Transformation Party (Petra) of Kamuzu Chibambo, Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (MAFUNDE) of George Nnesa, Alliance for Democracy (Afford) of Enoch Chihana, Freedom Party (FP) of Khumbo Kachali, and People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) of Mark Katsonga.

2020 Presidential Electoral Calendar In brief

Voter Registration

• All who registered in 2019 Tripartite Elections and By-elections held thereafter need to go and confirm their name in the voter register. 
• Those who have changed residences should report to new centres to process transfer. 
• All registrants should bring voter certificates and national ID (if they don’t have they should go to District Commissioner’s office to register).

Inspection of Voter Register

• Inspection of registered voters will be done on 18th June and 19th June 2020.

Election Monitors

• Every political party and candidates have rights to monitor through designated representatives and that their names be submitted to MEC through writing and state the centres which they will be assigned. For voter registration process.
• Political parties and aspiring candidates should submit names of monitors for voter registration 30th March 2020. And submit names of monitors for poling exercise by 22nd June 2020.

Candidate Nominations

• Collection of Candidate Nomination forms begins today at MEC Blantyre head office. 
• Nominations of candidates will be done from 23-24 April 2020 in Blantyre. 
• Nomination fee is K2 million for all candidates and should deposit the fee into MEC bank account before presentation of nomination papers.

Official Campaign

• Campaign period will begin from 2nd May to 30th June 2020 and will end by 6 AM.
• Candidates will be free to move around the country to campaign but have been encouraged to adhere to code of conduct for political party and candidates. 

Ballot Papers

• MEC is in the process of identifying the printer for ballot and accompanying forms.
• Printing will be witnessed by representatives at their own cost.
• Stakeholders will be informed when the printer is identified.

Polling and Results Tallying

• Voting shall begin from 2nd July from 6 AM to 6 PM. 
• All results will be counted where polling took place. 
• The tallying of results will be at District Tally Centre and not at Constituency Tally Centre as matter of compliance to Constitutional Court ruling.

Results Announcement

• Results will be announced within 8 days from the day of polling (from 3rd – 10th July 2020).