The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) conducted by-elections on 17 March 2026 in four parliamentary constituencies and nine local government wards as follows:

• Nkhotakota Liwaladzi Constituency
• Dedza Mtakataka Constituency
• Blantyre West Constituency
• Rumphi Central Constituency
• Ighembe Ward in Karonga Songwe Constituency
• Luwinga Ward in Mzuzu City North Constituency
• Linthembwe Ward in Dowa Ngala Constituency
• Chilobwe Ward in Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency
• Msitu Ward in Mchinji South Constituency
• Mikongo Ward in Mangochi Northeast Constituency
• Chanda Ward in Zomba Chikomwe Constituency
• Chirunga Ward in Zomba City North Constituency
• Muonekera Ward in Thyolo Goliati Constituency

Voter Registration

Voter registration was conducted for seven days, from 31 January to 6 February 2026. Citizens who had attained the age of 18, as well as those who would turn 18 by polling day on 17 March 2026, were eligible to register.

Applicants were required to provide proof of registration with the National Registration Bureau (NRB). Citizens who had already registered for the 2025 General Election were not required to register again.

Inspection and Verification of the Voters’ Register

The Commission conducted inspection and verification of the voters’ register from 17 to 18 February 2026. Registered voters, including those registered during the by-election registration exercise, were encouraged to visit the centres where they had registered to verify their details.

Voters who had lost their voter certificates could request replacements. The Commission also provided an electronic verification facility through *2509#, allowing voters to check their registration details using their mobile phones.

Nomination of Candidates

Nomination papers were made available for collection from the respective council offices from 20 January 2026. Candidates were required to pay the prescribed, non-refundable nomination fees when collecting the papers.

For local government elections, the nomination fee was K200,000 for men and K100,000 for women, persons with disabilities and the youth. For parliamentary elections, the fee was K2,500,000 for men and K1,250,000 for women, persons with disabilities and the youth. Candidates formally presented their nomination papers on 21 February 2026.

Submission of Letters of Intent to Contest

Candidates who were duly nominated in the applicable by-election areas, with the exception of Rumphi Central and Muonekera Ward, collected, signed and submitted their letters of intent to contest through the respective Constituency Returning Officers.

Pre-Examination of Nomination Papers

The Commission conducted the pre-examination of nomination papers on 20 February 2026. Aspirants or their representatives were given an opportunity to bring their nomination papers for examination before formal presentation.

The arrangement did not prevent candidates from requesting pre-inspection of their papers at any other time before the presentation of nominations.

Campaign Period

The campaign period commenced on 15 January 2026 and ended at 6:00 a.m. on 15 March 2026.

During the campaign period, candidates and political parties conducted campaign activities in the affected constituencies and wards in accordance with the electoral laws and regulations.

Inspection of Polling Materials

On 16 March 2026, the Commission conducted inspection of polling materials at all polling stations. From 9:00 a.m., Presiding Officers opened and checked the materials, including ballot papers, to confirm that they were the correct materials and were available in the required quantities.

The inspection was conducted in the presence of political party and candidate representatives.

Polling Day

Polling was conducted on 17 March 2026, opening at 6:00 a.m. and closing at 4:00 p.m.

Voters were encouraged to bring their voter certificates to facilitate identification. Those who had lost their certificates were still able to vote after reporting to the polling centre where they had registered, where the Presiding Officer assisted them in accordance with the established procedures.

Counting and Announcement of Results

Vote counting commenced immediately after the close of polling at each polling station. The counting was conducted at polling stations in accordance with the prescribed procedures and in the presence of authorised representatives of candidates and political parties.

Following the completion of counting and the subsequent collation of results, the Commission announced the official results on 20 March 2026.

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