The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has indicated it will investigate and take action against Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strongman Norman Chisale for flouting electoral laws by continuing to campaign on his social media platform even after the official campaign period closed.
Chisale, a former presidential bodyguard at State House and now one of the most influential figures in the DPP’s inner circle and a close ally to the party’s candidate Arthur Peter Mutharika, on Tuesday morning posted calls on Facebook urging Malawians to vote his boss.
This was despite the campaign period having legally closed 48 hours before polling, as stipulated under the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Act (PPEA).
A post on Norman Chisale Facebook page posted just after the voting started Tuesday morning
“Campaigning after the closure of the official campaign period is in violation of the law. Once the campaign period is closed, no political party or candidate is allowed to solicit votes, directly or indirectly,” MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja said during the opening of the campaign this year.
Mtalimanja or MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa could not be immediately reached to specifically comment on the Chisale issue, however, one of the officials that The Pangolin Online has spoken to at the main tally centre in Lilongwe said: “The Commission is reviewing the matter and will take appropriate action.”
Chisale’s social media campaigning is the latest in a string of controversial actions that have drawn criticism from civil society and security analysts.
Throughout the campaign, he has been accused of setting up a covert DPP taskforce designed to unleash violence and intimidation, including plots to stone opposition in Thyolo, mobilize gangs in Mangochi, and even torch markets to simulate post-election unrest.
In addition, credible reports suggest Chisale has been at the centre of efforts to pay monitors in certain polling centres, raising fears of bribery and vote manipulation. These actions, critics argue, reflect a pattern of desperation and impunity that has characterized his role in the campaign.
“Norman Chisale has consistently acted as though the law does not apply to him or the DPP. From orchestrating violent tactics to openly flouting electoral regulations, his conduct undermines both the credibility of the DPP and the integrity of the entire electoral process,” said one governance expert.
The Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Act (PPEA) clearly states that: the campaign period closes 48 hours before polling day; no person, candidate, or political party is allowed to campaign once the period has closed; and any violation of this provision constitutes an illegal practice, which may attract penalties including fines and imprisonment.
Section 60 of the PPEA also gives MEC powers to sanction offenders, which may include disqualification of candidates involved, prosecution, or fines against individuals engaged in illegal practices.
Legal experts note that the law applies equally to candidates, their representatives, and any person acting on their behalf.
“Even if Chisale is not on the ballot, he is acting as an agent of the DPP candidate, and therefore subject to the law. This means even the DPP candidate can be disqualified,” explained a lawyer familiar with electoral statutes.
Civil society groups have urged MEC not only to investigate but also to enforce penalties to deter further violations.
“Allowing Chisale to get away with this would set a dangerous precedent. The rules must be applied equally, otherwise the credibility of the election will be in question,” said a member of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC).
Chisale, once a low-profile bodyguard, has become a powerful operator in the DPP, often described as its de facto enforcer. He has faced multiple corruption and abuse-of-power allegations since the fall of the DPP government in 2020.
His role in the current campaign has been particularly controversial, with insiders describing him as the “nerve centre” of the party’s parallel operations. From allegedly mobilizing retired soldiers with a K700 million war chest to spreading propaganda online, Chisale has positioned himself as indispensable to Mutharika’s political survival.
But analysts warn that this latest violation could backfire.
“By ignoring the closure of the campaign period, Chisale has not only embarrassed his party but also given MEC an opportunity to assert its authority,” said the political scientist.
The Chisale case underscores the growing challenge of enforcing electoral laws in a highly polarized environment. For MEC, taking decisive action will be viewed as a litmus test of its independence and ability to safeguard the electoral process.
“The law is clear, the violations are clear, and the evidence is public. The question is whether MEC has the courage to act,” one civil society leader remarked.
