Chamisa urges ZEC to learn from Malawi's electoral example

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to emulate the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in conducting transparent and credible elections.

His remarks come after Malawi's recent general elections, where former President Peter Mutharika was declared the winner with 57% of the vote against Lazarus Chakwera's 33%. In a rare show of political maturity, Chakwera conceded defeat before the final results were announced, personally calling Mutharika to congratulate him on his "historic win."

Chamisa contrasted Malawi's peaceful electoral process with Zimbabwe's long history of disputed polls, saying the country has failed to deliver free and fair elections since the early 2000s.

"The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) should take notes from Malawi's example where results reflect the true will of the people and peaceful transitions are possible," Chamisa wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

He also condemned the persistent violence, intimidation, and manipulation that have characterised Zimbabwean elections for decades.

"Since independence, Zimbabwe has faced violent and contested elections punctuated by systematic obstruction of democratic change, trapping the nation in a vicious cycle of instability and inexorable conflict. It's time for Zimbabwe to commit to CITIZENOCRACY - an accountable, citizens-centred and citizens-driven system of government," he added.

Chamisa recalled the 2008 elections, during which over 300 opposition supporters were reportedly killed in politically motivated violence, most of them backers of the late Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The 2023 general elections, observed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), were similarly condemned for failing to meet regional and international standards of credibility. The observer mission noted logistical chaos, including ZEC's failure to deliver ballots on time in urban areas - forcing some polling stations to operate overnight or reopen the next day.

Urban voters, traditionally aligned with the opposition, were disproportionately affected by the delays - a situation critics argue benefited the ruling Zanu PF, which maintains strong rural support.

Chamisa, who challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa's election victories in both 2018 and 2023, continues to dispute his legitimacy, accusing ZEC of bias and manipulation.

Despite these challenges, Chamisa's then-18-month-old CCC party managed to prevent Zanu PF from securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament in 2023 - a result he has cited as evidence of Zimbabweans' desire for democratic change.