By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, April 30, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Commissioner, Caroline Mfune has asked electoral stakeholders in Likoma to sensitize people in the district on new electoral laws to prepare them for September 2025 General Elections.  

She was speaking on Monday during an electoral stakeholders’ awareness meeting on new electoral laws, new constituency and ward boundaries and polling centres, saying people should be well informed to ensure credible elections.  

“The reason we have called various electoral stakeholders is to sensitize them on new developments in the electoral laws so that they should in turn sensitize communities on the same. The electoral laws have been reviewed so we want people to understand what has changed,” said Mfune.

She said some of the laws that have been reviewed include the voting time which previously was from 6am to 6pm. She said now the voting time will be from 6am to 4pm.

Mfune said another law which has changed was the first-past-the-post system of determining the winning presidential candidate to the 50+1 system. She said there is also an addition of polling Centre’s to align with newly demarcated wards and constituencies.

Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner, Director of Finance (DFO) for Likoma, Wilson Muziya, asked the stakeholders to intensify sensitization on the new developments to ensure free and fair general elections.

“This is an important meeting which would help people of Likoma to become conversant with the electoral laws which have just been introduced. Stakeholders need to take this information down to the communities,” said Muziya.   

Among others, the meeting was attended by political party representatives, traditional leaders, faith leaders and civil society leaders.