Mzuzu Youth Caucus Demands Nkoloma’s Reappointment as Electoral Commissioner

The Mzuzu Youth Caucus has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to President Lazarus Chakwera, demanding the reappointment of Mayamiko Nkoloma as a commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC). The youth group is protesting the President’s decision to rescind Nkoloma’s appointment, citing what they call a misinterpretation of his employment status.

Speaking at a press briefing in Mzuzu on Tuesday evening, Caucus Chairperson Gomezgani Nkhoma argued that Nkoloma, a lecturer at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), is not a civil servant and therefore qualifies for the MEC role.

“The High Court of Malawi made it clear in two 2014 rulings—Malawi Electoral Commission v Mathews Ngwale and Malawi Electoral Commission v Dr. Samuel Safuli—that lecturers at the University of Malawi are not considered civil servants,” Nkhoma stated.

President Chakwera had earlier withdrawn Nkoloma’s appointment on the grounds that he remains a public servant, a category disqualified from serving on the electoral body under current law. However, the Mzuzu Youth Caucus claims the legal precedent contradicts the President’s interpretation.

Nkhoma warned that failure to reverse the decision within 24 hours would prompt the group to mobilize nationwide action aimed at denouncing what they described as unjustified political interference.

“The Constitution and the courts must be respected. If this demand is ignored, we will not hesitate to organize public demonstrations across the country,” he added.

There has been no official response from the Office of the President as of Wednesday morning.