By Wadza Botomani
The Malawi Electoral Commission has called on all candidates and their supporters to remain patient, calm, and peaceful as it continues to tally votes from Tuesday’s general elections.
MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja reminded contestants at the National Tally Centre that the period of waiting for results is highly sensitive and requires restraint, urging them to refrain from making premature victory claims.
She stressed that the presidential election winner must secure more than 50 percent of the valid votes cast, a process which requires more time than the First-Past-the-Post system used for parliamentary and local government races. Mtalimanja confirmed the Commission will adhere to legal timelines, allowing up to eight days to announce presidential results to ensure they are properly verified, audited, and authenticated.
She assured Malawians that security remains tight, with the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force working closely to safeguard the process.
