Hon. Mtalimanja takes Oath as MEC Chairperson

Honourable Justice Annabel Mtalimanja on 21st June 2024 took oath of office as the new chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in Lilongwe. Reverend Phillip P.J. Kambulire and Dr. Limbikani Kamlongera took oath as new MEC Commissioners at the same function.

The Honourable Chief Justice Rizine Robert Mzikamanda SC who administered the oaths, stated that elections are an important aspect of democracy in that elections are how most citizens ever participate directly in government.

He added that through elections citizens make the first decision in democracy in choosing who their representatives should be in the institutions of governance.

“As such elections need to be managed with the highest degree of competence and integrity for them to be credible. Fairness and justice are essential ingredients of a well-managed election,” stated the Honourable Chief Justice.

He therefore called upon the new MEC chairperson and all MEC Commissioners to commit to working together for the advancement of democracy in Malawi and for the benefit of all the peoples of Malawi.

His Excellency the State President, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera appointed Honourable Justice Annabel Mtalimanja and the two Commissioners in the MEC roles in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi and section 4 of the Malawi Electoral Commission Act. The appointments are with effect from 7th June 2024. Honourable Justice Mtalimanja has replaced Honourable Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale, whose term of office as MEC chairperson expired on 6th June 2024.

Honourable Justice Mtalimanja is the Judge-in-Charge of the High Court Criminal Division, Lilongwe Registry. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from the University of Malawi (1999) and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia (2005). She is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, (FCIArb) London (2021). Before joining the Judiciary, she worked in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as Senior State Advocate, Senior Assistant Chief State Advocate, Legislative Draftsperson, and Administrator General. She was appointed Judge of the High Court on 19th June, 2013.

The Judiciary wishes Justice Mtalimanja well in her new role and extends gratitude to Justice Dr. Kachale for serving the Malawi Electoral Commission with dignity and professionalism.