Commissioners

Chairperson

Justice Annabel Mtalimanja

Date of appointment: 7 June, 2024

Honourable Justice Annabel Mtalimanja is the current Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree from the University of Malawi (1999) and a Master of Laws Degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia (2005).

She was appointed Judge of the High Court on 19th June, 2013 where she served in the Commercial Division, before being re assigned to the Criminal Division in 2020. She is the Judge in Charge for the Criminal Division, Lilongwe District Registry. Prior to appointment as Chairperson, she was the Chairperson of the Judiciary Training Committee.

Before joining the Judiciary, she worked in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs where she held various positions including Senior State Advocate, Senior Assistant Chief State Advocate, Legislative Draftsperson as well as Administrator General.

She is a Mediator accredited with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as well as a Trainer of Trainers.

Commissioner

MR RICHARD CHAPWETEKA

Date of appointment: 11^th June 2025

Mr. Richard Chapweteka was reappointed to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on 11th June 2025 for a second four-year term, following the successful completion of her first term from 9th June 2021 to 8th June 2025.  

He is Strategic Manager and Development Economist holding a Master of Science in Strategic Management from University of Derby (UK) University and a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Economics) from University of Malawi, Chancellor College with over 30 years of experience of projects management including advising private sector companies, NGOs and African governments on rural development, managing credit, agricultural input supplies and markets. He served as a member of the Steering Committee of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Multi-country Agricultural Productivity Program (2007-2011) that established the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA). Mr Chapweteka is also the Executive Secretary of the Fertilizer Association of Malawi (2006-present) and the founder of Rural Market Development Trust (RUMARK). He has extensive experience in the Market for the Poor (M4P) approach, negotiating business contracts and credit for enterprises.  He has considerable policy advocacy experience, completing a study entitled “Developing Sustainable Input Supply Systems in Malawi,” which led to the development of the Malawi Input and Output Market Development Programme (IOMDP) under Ministry of Agriculture. Furthermore, Mr Chapweteka’s knowledge and understanding of the Africa’s economic landscape is demonstrated in having assisted in the establishment and registration of the Fertilizer Association in Malawi and of the National Agrodealers Associations in Tanzania and Malawi. In Southern and East Africa, Mr Chapweteka has in depth knowledge and experience in the economic market, political economy, gender, social, poverty and environmental analyses.  During his career, he has worked and engaged the Parliamentary Committees and Ministers in order to get them understand why it is imperative to work together for the good of the rural poor as well as gender integration. Mr. Chapweteka has significant management experience, having served as Country Director for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia; Senior Policy Advisor for Africa Region; Team Leader of a technical secretariat that presented to the UN Millennium Commission on Promoting a Green Revolution in Malawi; and Team Leader of a 15-member consortium (made of fertilizer, seed and crop protection chemicals companies) advocating to the Government of Malawi for a market-based inputs subsidy program. He can incorporate best practices from other countries, having advised the Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania Government on implementation of market-based subsidy programs. Mr. Chapweteka understands stakeholder engagement and consensus-building, for example in the conceptualization and establishment of the Fertilizer Association of Malawi, where he served as Executive Secretary up to 2021, and the Agricultural Inputs Traders Association (AITA) of Malawi. He was responsible for the successful outcome of initiating and bringing together all private sector players, donors and government in Malawi to start a dialogue on implementation of subsidy programs in 2006. Mr. Chapweteka has also assisted in writing reports and opinion papers contributed to AGRA, USAID, DFID, AfDB, NORAD, World Bank and other donor policy discussions.

Commissioner

DR EMMANUEL FABIANO

Date of appointment: 11^th June 2025

Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano was reappointed to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on 11th June 2025 for a second four-year term, following the successful completion of her first term from 9th June 2021 to 8th June 2025

He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (1983-1986); MSc from University of Warwick (1978-1980) and Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Malawi (1972-1977). He is a recipient of the Education Leadership Award from Global Awards for Excellence in Education, Leadership and Teaching and the K.N. Welch Prize for the best PhD thesis in Organic Chemistry in 1986 at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Dr. Fabiano has held various leadership and management positions in Government and in the University of Malawi. He served as a Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu West from 2014 to 2019. It is during this time that he was appointed Minister of Education, Science and Technology (2014-2017); and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2017-2019). He also worked with the University of Malawi for 26 years where he served in various positions including that of Vice-Chancellor, Principal and Head of Chemistry Department. From 1997 to 2011, he served as Honorary Deputy Director of the African Forum for Children’s Literacy in Science and Technology (AFCLIST). He has also served as a Board Chairperson, Member and Trustee of various Boards since 1998. Dr. Fabiano has conducted numerous chemistry research studies and developed several science publications. He has presented several papers at conferences and authored a number of books. He has also organized and participated in numerous conferences, seminars and workshops in different disciplines across the globe.

Commissioner

Reverend Phillip Kambulire

Date of appointment: 7 June, 2024
Commissioner Reverend Philip Kambulire holds a Master of Arts in Theology and Religious studies from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College (2020) and a Bachelor of Divinity from University of Malawi – Zomba Theological College (2009). He also holds a licentiate of Theology from Zomba Theological College (2008) and a Primary School Teaching Certificate from Kasungu Teachers Training College (1999).

With three decades of expertise in governance, strategic planning and community engagement he has held positions of Moderator of Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma Synod (2021-2023) and Chancellor of Nkhoma University (2021-2023). He has also served as a Chairperson and member of boards for Nkhoma Synod, Greenbelt Authority, Kwacha Religious Development Initiative, and Zomba Theological University.

Commissioner Kambulire has strong leadership and transformational development skills, driving impactful policy changes and fostering institutional growth. He is proficient in conflict management, project management, and resource mobilization, ensuring compliance and ethical standards while achieving measurable improvements.

Commissioner

Dr. Limbikani Kamlongera

Date of appointment: 7th June 2024

Commissioner Dr. Limbikani Kamlongera is the Executive Director of Girls Education Trust and a doctor of Education. She is a versatile, results-driven professional with over 20 years’ experience in higher education and broadcast communications. She has a strong background in creating, writing, and producing communication pieces, as well as comprehensive experience developing exceptional relationships with clients, peers, senior leadership, students and communities to provide successful programs and solutions. Before joining the Trust, Commissioner Kamlongera worked as a Dean of Academics at the African Bible College, Head of News and Programs with the Times Group and Communications Manager for World Vision Malawi.

Commissioner Kamlongera has exceptional skills in critical thinking, community outreach, and public relations stemming from her experience as a news editor, researcher and educator. She has a Doctorate in Education from Grambling State University (Louisiana, USA), a Master’s degree in Mass Communication also from GSU, and a Bachelor’s degree from the African Bible College (Lilongwe, Malawi).
Dr. Kamlongera is also a certified Leadership Coach, very passionate about people, especially marginalized groups, development work, health, climate change, girls and women empowerment and broadcasting, areas in which she has a very strong set of skills.

Commissioner

MS CAROLINE MFUNE

Date of Appointment: 11th June 2025

Commissioner Caroline Mfune was reappointed to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on 11th June 2025 for a second four-year term, following the successful completion of her first term from 9th June 2021 to 8th June 2025. During her first term, she served as Chairperson of the Legal Services Committee of the Commission.

Commissioner Mfune holds Master of Business Administration in International Relations and Diplomacy from University of Cumbria (UK) and Bachelors in Business Administration from Malawi School of Government (formerly Malawi Institute of Management).

She is an interdisciplinary professional with a strong commitment to enhancing the operational efficiency of organizations across diverse sectors. She brings to the Commission over 30 years of experience spanning organizational operations, advocacy for women and the girl child, entrepreneurship, and governance. She is widely recognized for her practical leadership and her ability to provide effective solutions in corporate governance, enterprise development, and institutional strengthening.

She has vast experience in electoral observation, having participated in regional and international election observer missions. Her knowledge of electoral processes is further strengthened by her academic and practical grounding in international relations and diplomacy. Commissioner Mfune also has a solid background in conflict management, and she has contributed to initiatives focused on mitigating election-related violence and promoting inclusive, peaceful participation in democratic processes. She has hands on experience in Demarcation having been part of the Commission that conducted constituency boundary review in Malawi after 23 years.

Beyond her work with the Commission, she has served as a Board Member of various parastatal institutions. In addition, she served as Chairperson of the Ethel Mutharika Foundation and chairperson of Beautify Malawi Trust where she championed community development initiatives and the empowerment of marginalized groups. Also as part of her experience she also worked with the GTZ Border Zone Project.

Her multi-sectoral expertise, commitment to gender equality, and wide-ranging leadership experience make her a valuable asset to the Commission as it continues to build credibility, inclusivity, and transparency in Malawi’s electoral processes.