The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is under fire following revelations that it is procuring 15,000 new electronic machines, estimated between K8 billion and K11 billion from Taiwan. These are allegedly for use on polling day for voter verification—despite such use being prohibited under current electoral laws. Informed sources within MEC have disclosed to Khulubvi Post that the machines are in addition to the equipment already sourced from the controversial Smartmatic. The new procurement, shrouded in secrecy, has not been disclosed to political parties, civil society organizations, or the Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN), sparking concerns of deliberate exclusion and a lack of transparency amid widespread voter rigging claims against the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Prominent elections experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have condemned the move, calling it a “serious violation of the democratic process.” “We were not consulted. As key stakeholders in the electoral process, we find it unacceptable that MEC is spending billions on machines without informing us or justifying their use,” one UNDP staff member told Khulubvi Post. Reports suggest that the new devices will be used for voter verification on polling day—a function not permitted by Malawi’s Electoral Act. This has raised alarms over possible attempts to tamper with voter rolls or manipulate vote management systems under the guise of technological upgrades. Adding to the controversy is the recent, unexplained deployment of MEC’s IT officers to various districts. Anonymous sources within MEC allege that these movements are linked to early preparations for setting up the machines across the country, in anticipation of their use during the next elections. Civil society organizations have also weighed in, calling the development “a dangerous undermining of democratic accountability.” MESN’s Executive Director added, “This raises more questions than answers. Transparency is non-negotiable in electoral processes. We demand that MEC halts all procurement and deployment of these machines until an independent investigation is conducted.” Parliamentary committees, particularly the Legal Affairs and Public Accounts Committees, are reportedly unaware of the procurement. It remains doubtful whether they will summon MEC officials in the coming days to provide clarity on the financing and intended use of the machines. As of now, MEC has not released any official statement addressing the concerns. Repeated attempts to reach Chairperson Justice Anabel Mtalimanja for comment have been unsuccessful. Observers warn that unless the issue is addressed swiftly, it could erode public trust in the 2025 elections and trigger wider political tensions.

Trade Minister Vitumbiko Mumba revokes Illovo Sugar Export Licence citing “irresponsible habit on the market” A move that will have several negative effects on the economy of the country with sugar already selling at about K6,000 per 1kg packet. Malawi’s Minister of Trade Vitumbiko Mumba has with immediate effect revoked export license for Illovo Sugar Company citing market manipulation and disregard poor Malawians needs. He made the decision while opening new production plant at Salima Sugar Company. Mumba has since extended import licences to Brazil and Egypt. But the move has economic consequences as Illovo Sugar Company employs thousands of workers, skilled and unskilled. The company also pays huge taxes to government while at the same time generates forex for the nation which is country passing through troubled waters. “Malawians cannot suffer while a few players exploit the market. We are taking decisive action to restore sanity and supply,” Mumba declared. Currently sugar  is already selling at a high price of K6,000 in 2025 as compared to K600 in 2020.

As we are fast approaching the September, 2025 General Elections, the Malawi Electoral Commission MEC has issued a notice of Bank Accounts for Purposes of Depositing Nomination Fees for the Elections. Andrew Mpesi who is the Chief Elections Officer at MEC said that in accordance with Section 40(1) of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023, a candidate or their election representative is required to deposit a non-refundable nomination fee with the Returning Officer at the time of collecting a nomination form. In reference to this, the Commission  advises that all nomination fees for Presidential and Parliamentary Elections should be deposited into Malawi Electoral Commission Presidential and Parliamentary Elections account Number 1040000060645 2. While Local Government Election fees should be deposited into the  Malawi Electoral Commission Malawi Electoral Commission Account number 1040000014333 which are domiciled at FDH available in all FDH Bank branches for each nomination fee type. It is also required that Bank Plc and special with account details deposit slips sha1l be pre-printed for each Nomination Fees. Mpesi said, Presidential Candidate nomination fees is K10 million across the board. MEC announces that Parliamentary elections nomination fees for male Candidate is K2.5 million while female, people with disabilities and  youth candidates less that 35 years old  shall pay K1,250,000 each. For Local Government elections all male candidates shall pay K200,000 while female, people with disabilities and youth less than 35 years old shall be required to pay K100,000 each. The Commission is informing all political parties, aspiring candidates and all electoral stakeholders that payment of nomination fees and collection of nomination papers will commence on 10th June 2025. All Parliamentary and Local Government Elections candidates will collect their nomination papers at their respective council offices while all presidential aspirants will collect from the Commission’s head office in Lilongwe. Further, the Commission wishes to advise that where a political party intends to pay nomination fees on behalf of its candidates, the party must notify the Chief Elections Officer in writing. Upon receipt of such notification, the Commission will provide further guidance directly to the political party.

Traders/vendors jostling to buy sugar at Priceworth Wholesalers in Limbe. Sugar scarcity which has hit cities and towns for the past 3 weeks has led to sharp increase of the commodity and a spot check in Limbe shows vendors selling a 1kg packet of sugar selling at K5,000 which is far too high as compared to its recommended price of K3,000 On Monday 26 May, 2025 only one shop in Limbe, Priceworth Wholesalers opposite old Shire Highlands Hotel has sugar in stock and there is pushing and shoving to buy, Only a few lucky traders will buy and there are over 3 police officers who are making sure buyers are conducting themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The government is appealing to various stakeholders to take a leading role in advocating for peace and unity ahead of the September General Elections. Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu made the remarks on the sidelines of the Africa Day commemorations, yesterday. Africa Day, celebrated annually on May 25, recognizes African diversity and success while highlighting the continent’s cultural and economic potential. This year’s commemoration was themed “Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future.” The country has been experiencing a series of politically motivated violence and intra-party conflicts ahead of the elections. According to Kunkuyu, Africa Day serves as a reminder to work in solidarity, particularly in promoting peace and stability in the country.

The Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Lu Xn, officially handed over the Confucius Institute to Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and University of Malawi (UNIMA) in Lilongwe. KUHeS Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Belinda Gombachika highlighted that the opening of the Confucius Institute represents much more than the unveiling of a new facility. “In an era where globalization is transforming education, learning a language like Chinese equips our students with valuable skills that improve their employability and success in an interconnected world,” she said. The Ambassador echoed Dr. Gombachika’s sentiments, emphasizing that this infrastructure serves as a significant unifying factor between the two countries. “When two nations understand each other’s language and culture, it fosters the exchange of ideas, particularly in advancing technology and infrastructure development,” she said. Minister of Higher Education Jessie Kabwila said this development aligns with the Malawi 2063 vision. “This initiative not only benefits students at KUHeS and UNIMA but also provides Malawians with the opportunity to learn a language that opens doors and promotes cross-cultural understanding,” she affirmed. The institute valued at $6.4 million (approximately K11 billion) among others comprise an administration block,600-seater multipurpose hall, computer room, staff rooms and board room.

President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has this morning left for Zimbabwe where he is expected to attend the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) summit of Heads of State and Government which is going to be held in Harare today. At Chileka Airport, Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Information Moses Kumkuyu and Government officials saw him off. TFCAs are collaborative efforts spanning countries to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of resources and ecotourism. By using the TFCA model, Southern Africa has successfully preserved its extensive natural resources, resulting in its wildlife becoming the largest globally. This years theme for the summit is Transfrontier Conservation Areas: 25 Years of Fostering Regional Integration and Sustainable Development. Chakwera will return home this evening through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe.

Representatives from various political parties, civil society organizations, diplomats, and other electoral stakeholders are attending a 2 day 6th All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference organized by the quasi religious body, the Public Affairs Committee being currently underway at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre. The conference which was officially opened on Tuesday 20th May, 2025, is expected to wind up on Wednesday, saw two emotive issues, namely the economy and the use of Smartmatic machine by MEC dominating the discussion on the first day of this important conference. During the conference several leaders from political parties and civil societies raised their concerns why  MEC and the MCP are insisting on using the Smartmatic Machine for voting and vote counting among other elections sticky issues that Malawians are  observing. DPP National Director of Elections,  Commissioner Dr Jean Mathanga stood up to point out some gray areas as to why  MEC has decided to give a death ear to their call for consultation regarding the use of Smartmatic machine. “I was calling on MEC to call us for consultation on Transmission of results as provided for in the Electoral Act. We need timely consultation for timely feedback as well.” Mathanga said. Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, chairperson of the Public Affairs Committee, Monsignor Dr Patrick Thawale said the aim of this conference is to create a platform for all the concerned groups to deliberate on electoral issues that have shaped the public discourse since last year. The 6th All Inclusive Stakeholders Conference has been themed, ‘Securing Consensus on Transparent and Accountable Electoral Governance through Dialogue.