Jane Ansah – Face of Malawi

Vice President-elect Jane Ansah Attends Chief Kwataine’s Funeral

Edgar Naitha — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:02:38 +0000

The country’s incoming Vice President, Jane Ansah, has arrived at the funeral of the late Chief Kwataine in Madzanje, Ntcheu District.

Also in attendance are Enock Chihana, leader of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and United Transformation Movement (UTM) leader Dalitso Kabambe.

Chief Kwataine, who passed away on Tuesday, was born in 1966. He is survived by five children and three grandchildren.

The funeral service is expected to begin shortly.

Mutharika Picks Jane Ansah as Running Mate for September 16 Election

Edgar Naitha — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:26:04 +0000

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader and former President Arthur Peter Mutharika has officially named former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah as his running mate for the upcoming September 16 presidential election.

The announcement was made today at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, where Mutharika submitted his nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

The choice of Ansah ends weeks of speculation, with names such as Bright Msaka, Rosa Mbilidzi, and Alfred Gangata previously rumored to be under consideration.

The public had eagerly awaited the reveal of Mutharika’s running mate, a topic that had generated intense interest.

Meanwhile, MEC Elections Chief Andrew Mpesi assured the public that the commission would strictly adhere to the law in managing the electoral process.

Independent presidential hopeful Milward Tobias is also expected to submit his nomination later in the day.

Chimulirenji Blocks DPP Primary Re-Run with Court Injunction

Edgar Naitha — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:32:59 +0000

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 2019 running mate Everton Chimulirenji has obtained a court injunction blocking the party from holding another primary election in Ntcheu North West.

The injunction also bars DPP from submitting any other candidate to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) besides Chimulirenji.
An inter partes hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 18.

DPP held primary elections in the constituency on April 12, 2025, where Chimulirenji faced off against Dr. Jane Ansah.
Chimulirenji was declared the winner of that contest.

However, on June 7, DPP nullified the April 12 results through a letter signed by Director of Elections, Dr. Jean Mathanga.

The party cited serious complaints from Dr. Ansah regarding the credibility of the process.

Allegations include interference by party officials, unsanctioned venue changes, and voting in darkness at Khomba.

DPP had scheduled a re-run of the primary for June 11.

That re-run is now on hold pending the court’s decision.

Ex-MEC Chairperson Jane Ansah joins DPP, to contest as MP in Ntcheu

Robert Ngwira — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:12:37 +0000

Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Justice Jane Ansah retired has joined the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of the 2025 polls.

Ansah confirmed of her move to DPP on Sunday during the official opening of the DPP elective conference presided over by former President Peter Mutharika.

Speaking in an interview with the press Ansah said she has joined DPP because the manifesto of the party resonate well with her vision.

She also announced that she will be contesting as Member of Parliament in the 2025 polls in Ntcheu.

Ansah was also captured declaring her interest for an MP post to Mutharika.

Jane Ansah joins frontline politics, to contest as MP in 2025 polls

Robert Ngwira — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:36:04 +0000

Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Dr. Jane Ansah, has declared her interest contest as Member of Parliament in the 2025 polls.

According to information at hand, Ansah is scheduled to contest for the newly demarcated Ntcheu North West constituency.

It is said that Ansah will contest on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket.

Ansah was fired from her post after the disputed 2019 polls which was nullified by the Constitutional Court.

Journalist MarcFarlane Mbewe collapses to death while on duty

Robert Ngwira — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 07:16:12 +0000

Death has been announced of former reporter for Capital FM radio MarcFarlane Mbewe.

Mbewe who was working for for Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust collapsed while making a presentation at College of Medicine in Blantyre on Thursday.

He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).

Mbewe came to light during the 2019 tripartite election where he joked of the earrings won by the then Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Jane Ansah during media briefing.

“Madam, you are looking good this afternoon. I like your earrings, personally,” Mbewe was quoted as saying while attracting laughter from fellow journalists.

Meanwhile, funeral details are still sketchy.

Kabambe spent a night in police cell, to appear in court today

Robert Ngwira — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:19:54 +0000

Former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dalitso Kabambe who is also Presidential Aspirant for the Democratic Progressive Party(DPP) has spent a night in police cell.

Kabambe handed himself to Police on Monday evening and was rocked-up at Lumbazi Police Unit.

National Police Spokesperson James Kadadzera confirmed of the development in an interview with the press.

According to Kadadzera, Kabambe will appear in court today for formal charges.

Kabambe’s arrest is linked to a bank transfer of billions of public funds around the time of the elections in 2019.

The money is said to have been used to bribe the then MEC Commissioners led by its Chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah.

Jane Ansah, Kaphale ordered to pay 3.1 million Kwacha

Robert Ngwira — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 09:47:11 +0000

The Ombudsman report has faulted the Former Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale and former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chair Jane Ansah for acting improper in arranging the booking of the South African lawyers to help in the 2019 election’s case.

The report has further faulted Ansah and Kaphale for abuse of powers saying the two acted improperly when they negotiated payment of the South African lawyer which later on was also on a very higher side.

The Ombudsman has therefore ordered Ansah and Kaphale to personally pay back 3.1 million kwacha which was incurred through accommodation for the South African lawyers.

According to Ombudsman Martha Chizuma the money should be paid to MEC before 28th may 2021 and evidence of the payment should be copied to the office of the ombudsman.

Asian Man Cassim pledge to rebuild Msundwe and Mpingu police units

FACE OF MALAWI — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 12:26:29 +0000

The Asian known by Mr Cassim yesterday pledged to rebuild Msundwe and Mpingu police units which were previously set ablaze by angry locals.

This was put on record when the Malawi police service officials and the locals held an interface meeting.

Most Asian owned businesses in the area were attacked during the anti Jane Ansah demostrations due to other reasons, lacking of police services.

Traditional Authority M`bwatika and the local NGO, Action for youth Network Development (AYID), representing the youth were in attendance.

Mayi Dinala of MCP dies

Robert Ngwira — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 10:27:40 +0000

Death has been announced of one of the longest serving member of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Mayi Roseby Dinala.

MCP Director of Campaign Moses Kunkuyu has confirmed the death in an interview with the press.

Mayi Dinala died this morning at Adventist Hospital in the commercial capital Blantyre.

She was one of the oldest women who took part in the demonstrations organized by Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) aimed at forcing the resignation of the then Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah.

Ansah was being accused of failing to manage the annulled May 21, 2019 Presidential polls which saw Peter Mutharika being declared winner.

Meanwhile funeral details are still sketchy.

Jane Ansah cleared, off to Zambia

Robert Ngwira — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 08:05:39 +0000

Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Jane Ansah has been allowed to cross Mchinji border into Zambia.

Spokesperson for Department of Immigration at Mchinji border Madalitso Banda has confirmed the development in an interview with the press.

According to Banda, Ansah notified the office of the Chief Justice about her plans to travel to the UK for a holiday and was, therefore, allowed to proceed this morning.

Ansah resigned from her post a month ago after the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the Constitutional Court ruling nullifying the May 21, 2019 Presidential polls.

Jane Ansah Feels Being Victimized ‘I am Not a Criminal’

Flora Mitumba — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 06:37:39 +0000

Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah has said she feels victimized and threatened after she was stopped from exiting the country.

Yesterday, Ansah was stopped by immigration officers’ at Mchinji boarder as she was travelling to Zambia on her way to United Kingdom.

According to the immigration officers, they needed a clearance to let Ansah out of the country.

In her remarks, Ansah alleged that she was stopped by police officers at Namitete roadblock on ”orders from above” and had to wait for 15 minutes before she was allowed to proceed.

Ansah also indicated that she was referred from one office to the next to get a travel permit.

She has since said she is not a criminal and is entitled to enjoy freedom of movement just like everybody else.

Jane Ansah blocked from fleeing the country at Mwanza border

Robert Ngwira — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:02:13 +0000

Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Jane Ansah has been blocked from exiting the country to Zambia through Mchinji border.

Ansah was using her official vehicle Toyota VX Land cruiser registration number MG 236 AK.

According to information at hand, Ansah was told that she cannot leave the country without any permission.

Immigration officials confirmed of the development in an interview with the press but could not disclose more details on the matter.

Ansah resigned from her position a month ago after being accused of failing to manage the May 21, 2019 Presidential polls.

She was being accused of conniving with the Democratic Progressive party (DPP) to rig the annulled polls.

CDEDI accuses Mutharika, Ansah for being behind MEC’s ill-preparedness of fresh polls

Robert Ngwira — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 11:28:16 +0000

Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika and former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah of being behind the ill-preparedness for the fresh polls by the electoral body.

CDEDI Acting Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa made the accusation in a statement released on Friday made available to Faceofmalawi.

“CDEDI believes President Mutharika and Justice Ansah should be held responsible for any challenge that may arise due to the state of preparedness the electoral body has found itself in. In addition, Malawians should hold President Mutharika and Dr. Ansah personally responsible for all the shortcomings and bottlenecks that may hamper the smooth running of the FPE,” said Namiwa.

On the other hand, Namiwa has hailed new MEC commissioners for working hard in preparing for the Fresh Presidential polls.

“CDEDI would like to congratulate the current cohort of Commissioners for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), led by Judge Dr. Chifundo Kachale for hitting the ground running as clearly demonstrated by their working around the clock! This is a classic example of patriotism.

“It is also re-assuring to note that Members of Parliament (MPs) did their part by ensuring that a date is fixed for the fresh polls. CDEDI is aware of the alleged futile attempts by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to frustrate the process in the August House,” he added.

MEC will hold fresh Presidential polls on June 23, 2020.

Meanwhile Ballot Papers for the fresh Presidential Polls have arrived in the country through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA).

MEC Commissioners contract expires today

Robert Ngwira — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 08:30:59 +0000

Contract for Commissioners for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is scheduled to expire today, Faceofmalawi can reveal.

The development comes amid calls for the resignation of all MEC Commissioners for failing to manage the May 21, 2019 polls.

President Peter Mutharika has since asked all political parties especially those taking part in the fresh Presidential polls to submit names of new commissioners.

The Judicial Service Commission has submitted three names of Judges to be considered on the post of MEC Chairperson to replace Dr. Jane Ansah who resigned a week ago.

Malawi is scheduled to hold fresh presidential polls on June 23, 2020.

Judicial Service Commission submits three names to Mutharika for MEC Chair post

Robert Ngwira — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 07:43:30 +0000

The Judicial Service Commission has submitted to President Peter Mutharika names of three judges from which he should appoint a new Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson replacing Dr. Jane Ansah who resigned.

High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal Registrar Agness Patemba confirmed of the development in an interview with the press on Tuesday.

Patemba refused to disclose the proposed names when asked to do so.

Malawi will hold fresh Presidential polls on June 23, 2020 following nullification of the May 21,2019 tripartite election by the constitutional court.

The court called for fresh Presidential polls within a period of 150 days.

Meanwhile Malawians are eagerly waiting for who will be the new MEC Commissioner.

Remaining MEC Commissioners Advised to Leave

Flora Mitumba — Fri, 29 May 2020 12:06:47 +0000

Political Science Association (PSA) has requested the remaining Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson to leave office following Jane Ansah who tendered her resignation letter few weeks ago.

This follows the continued calls from different stakeholders asking them to leave office after the Constitutional Court found them incompetent when it (the court) nullified May 21, 2019 presidential elections.

A statement co-signed by the Association’s President Joseph Chunga and its Secretary General Ernest Thindwa, the political experts say the move will afford the fresh crop of MEC commissioners time to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

This plea comes just a day after President Peter Mutharika accepted the resignation of the MEC chairperson Ansah, on Friday.

The Chancellor College based experts; observe going to the polls with the current commissioners will discredit the fresh presidential results.

PSA secretary general Thindwa said, “In elections and politics in general perception matter, so here is a set of commissioners s who don’t have the trust of Malawians, even if they were to manage these elections cleanly, professionally and fairly and Mutharika (President peter Mutharika) wins fairly, Malawians would not trust the results. We need a set of commissioners who can command trust from both sides of the political divide.

The political and governance experts have also tipped political parties and all other stakeholders involved in selection process of new commissioners, to do so based on merit and their capacity.

“It should not be about rewarding party faithful’s, it’s about identifying Malawians who can serve Malawians in a matter of urgency, these commissioners that will run the next election with legitimacy in the eyes of all contestants,” said Thindwa.

Bishop Mary Nkosi was the first commissioner to step down after taking an early annual leave pending expiry of her contract before the MEC chairperson.

President Peter has not made any commitment as to when he will appoint her replacement.

PSA has also expressed concerns over the escalating political violence and conduct of state broadcaster over its biased reporting calling for affirmative action.

Judicial Service Commission Says Will of Malawians to Be Considered When Appointing MEC Chair

Flora Mitumba — Thu, 28 May 2020 08:58:58 +0000

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has assured the general public that their demands will be put into consideration when appointing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson.

The remarks came after the positing of MEC chairperson fell vacant following the stepping aside of Jane Ansah.

The public including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has been tipping the JSC to choose a person of higher morals as chairperson of MEC.

Ansah has resigned as MEC chairperson after months of criticism and ridicule following her team’s mismanagement of last May’s invalidated presidential election.

President Peter Mutharika has now written the Judicial Service Commission to nominate a potential Judge to chair the Malawi Electoral Commission.

A new set of MEC commissioners is also expected to be instituted by the 5th of next month when contracts for the current commissioners expire.