This archive report was first published on 10 June 2020.
On June 9, 2020, Malawi's Parliament made a crucial decision, passing a resolution to hold a fresh presidential election on June 23. This move comes after much political bickering over the election date.
The new Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) team, led by High Court Judge Chifundo Kachale, also took the oath of office on the same day. The team replaces the previous commission, which was declared incompetent by the High Court and Parliament.
President Peter Mutharika has been criticized for maintaining two members from the previous commission, despite the controversy surrounding them. However, the endorsement of the fresh poll date and the swearing-in of the new MEC is a clear signal that the country will conduct the election within the 150 days ordered by the High Court in its February 3 judgment.
Despite this progress, Malawi still faces a looming threat from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed four lives and affected over 450 people since April 2. President Mutharika had previously expressed concerns about holding the election under these circumstances, stating, "Let us admit that we have a dilemma between going to an election too soon and preventing the spreading of coronavirus...Parliament must make its voice heard before the people," in a televised address to Parliament on June 5.
With the Parliament's endorsement of June 23 as the polling date, the battle lines are now drawn. President Mutharika will face opposition from Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera in the June 23 fresh election, and the political campaign for the presidency has reached its peak.
