The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has declared winners of the 17 March 2026 by-elections which took place in 4 constituencies and 9 wards across the country.
Independent candidate Lemani has been declared winner for local government elections in Zomba City North’s Chirunga Ward, while another independent candidate Christopher Namkwenya has been declared duly elected as councillor for Chanda Ward in Zomba Chikomwe Constituency.
During the declaration of results this evening, MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja has said the commission is satisfied that the elections took place in a free and fair manner.
“We are confident that the results are reflective of the will of the voters,” said Mtalimanja.
In Chirunga Ward, local government elections were suspended due to the death of one of the candidates, Abraham Nyondo, in the run up to the 17th September 2025 elections, while in Chanda Ward the commission nullified the results because a candidate who had duly withdrawn from the race still appeared on the ballot paper.
The has commission also declared UTM’s Matthews Chinombo Mtumbuka as winner for the Rumphi Central Constituency parliamentary seat, Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Thokozire Lunji for Nkhotakota Liwaladzi Constituency, Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) Patrick Siyabonga Bandawe for Dedza Mtakataka Constituency, and independent candidate Mavuto Mapongo Gulo for Balaka West Constituency.
In the Local Government by-elections, DPP’s Adrian Masimbi has been declared winner for Ighembe Ward in Karonga Songwe Constituency, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu’s Clavel Dapalapa Mhango for Luwinga Ward in Mzuzu City North Constituency, DPP’s Gideon Chiwasa for Linthembwe Ward in Dowa Ngala Constituency, DPP’s John Levison Mkuleza for Msitu Ward in Mchinji South Constituency, MCP’s Davie Kamwendo for Chilobwe Ward in Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency, independent candidate James Royidi for Mikongo Ward in Mangochi North East Constituency, and DPP’s George Molesi for Muonekera Ward in Thyolo Goliati Constituency.
