LocationsMalawi Police Launch Command Centres to Safeguard 2025 Elections
September 15, 2025
Ms. Fenella Frost (fourth from right), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, shakes hands with Mrs. Merlyne Yolamu (fourth from left), Inspector General of Police, during the handover of equipment to the Malawi Police for use at the Joint Command Center.
The Malawi Police Service, in partnership with the Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Prison Services, has launched a national Police Incident Command Centre together with six regional Joint Operations Centres to strengthen security ahead of the country’s 2025 elections. The new facilities were officially launched on 15 September 2025 at Police Headquarters in Lilongwe.
The centres will operate around the clock to track incidents, coordinate rapid responses, and protect voters, election staff, and key infrastructure across all six policing regions. They serve as a shared platform for multiple security agencies to gather intelligence, share information, and coordinate action in real time.
Inspector General of Police, Mrs. Merlyne Yolamu, delivering her remarks during the launch of the Joint Command Center.
A Pledge to Keep Peace
Addressing guests at the launch, Inspector General of Police, Mrs. Merlyne Yolamu, said the new command structure reflects Malawi’s determination to hold peaceful and credible elections:
“These centres symbolise our readiness to provide real-time, coordinated, and effective responses to any incident—big or small—across the country.”
She explained that the command centres are equipped with advanced communication and monitoring technology to detect threats, share intelligence, and deploy security personnel quickly when needed.
Ms. Fenella Frost, UNDP Malawi Resident Representative, delivering her remarks during the launch of the Joint Command Centre by the Malawi Police Service
Enhancing Capacity and Confidence
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Fenella Frost, praised the Malawi Police Service for taking proactive steps to protect the electoral process and strengthen public trust:
“This state-of-the-art facility will enhance the capacity of the Malawi Police Service to monitor and respond to incidents in real time and coordinate resources effectively across all regions.”
She underscored that the new facilities would help the Police provide a safe environment for every voter on election day.
The command centres were established through the Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, and Ireland.
Through MESP, UNDP refurbished and equipped the national and regional centres with modern communication and monitoring systems, furniture, and essential installations valued at over USD 200,000. It also provided specialised training for police officers in preventive policing, public order management, investigations, and prosecution, along with awareness campaigns on violence against women in elections and politics.
This combination of technology, infrastructure, and capacity-building is vital in strengthening the Police’s ability to detect, deter, and respond swiftly to potential threats during and after the election period.
Ms. Fenella Frost, UNDP Malawi Resident Representative (fourth from left, front row), and Mrs. Merlyne Yolamu, Inspector General of Police (fourth from right, front row), join senior officers from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), the Malawi Prison Services, and the UN Resident Coordinator for a group photo following the successful launch of the Joint Command Centre.
Related
content
content
