By Chisomo Phiri
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert Mayamiko Nkoloma has expressed appreciation for his appointment as a commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), describing it as a profound national responsibility.
Nkoloma, a lecturer in telecommunications at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) and founder of iMoSyS, told 247 Malawi News in an interview that his appointment is not just a personal achievement but also a pledge to serve the people of the country with integrity, impartiality, and commitment.
“This role comes with significant expectations, particularly from the youth of this country.
“It is an opportunity to prove that we can rise to the challenge and deliver electoral processes that are credible, transparent, and inclusive processes that uphold and strengthen our democracy,” he said.
He added:“I am deeply grateful to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, for approving my nomination. I also sincerely thank former president Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party(DPP ) for putting my name forward.”
Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba said in a statement on Friday that Nkoloma’s appointment is effective July 24,2025.
He replaces Francis Kasaila who resigned in April this year to contest in parliamentary elections.
The ICT expert has a Master of Science in Wireless Communication from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom(UK) and a Master of Technology Degree in Advanced Information Technology with specialisation in Telecommunications and Networking from International Institute of Information and Technology in Pune, India.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Mubas, formerly known as The Polytechnic.
Nkoloma also boasts of numerous local and international awards, among others, by the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) for being innovative by applying ICT in the field of technology.
He recently also received a national innovation award in science and technology and in 2017, he received an award from the International Telecommunication Union for providing and promoting innovative ICT solutions with social impact.
Prior to his appointment, DPP recommended ICT professional George Somanje, a move that sparked controversy after a leaked letter from National Council for Higher Education(NCHE ) put a dent on his academic credentials.
The letter from the council to the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) legal adviser Chizaso Nyirongo alleged that Somanje’s purported Bachelor of Science in Computer Science credentials from University of South Africa in June 1994 were bogus.
Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum(CSEIF) chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said in an earlier interview with local media that there were no legal implications for not having the remaining commissioner since Section 75 (1) of the Constitution stipulates not fewer than four commissioners, excluding the chairperson.
But Centre for Multiparty Democracy(CMD) executive director Boniface Chibwana said politically it is important to have equal numbers of MEC commissioners to balance decision−making and machinations.
