The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has declared Lawrence Chakakala Chaziya the uncontested winner of the Lilongwe Chilobwe parliamentary seat for next month's general elections.

This follows Chaziya being the sole candidate to submit nomination papers for the constituency's parliamentary race. Consequently, MEC confirmed that it will not hold a parliamentary election there.

MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja stated in a Tuesday, 12 July 2025, announcement that the commission adhered to electoral laws in declaring Chaziya elected unopposed.

“The Commission wishes to inform the public that only one candidate [Chaziya] presented nomination papers for the constituency within the prescribed period. In accordance with the electoral laws of Malawi, where there is only one validly nominated candidate, that candidate is duly elected unopposed,” reads part of the statement.

The declaration was made under Section 45 of Malawi's Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act (2023), which stipulates automatic election for a sole validly nominated candidate by the deadline.

The statement clarified: “however, it is important to note that presidential and local government elections will proceed in the constituency alongside the rest of the country on the scheduled date.”

Malawi Law Society Vice President Mchaven Ngwata stated that the move aligns with established electoral laws.

Chaziya told this publication he is eager to serve his constituents. 

“I would like to thank the people in Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency for entrusting me with the position. This is a vote of confidence,” he said.