Malawi’s electoral body has unveiled a detailed calendar of activities in preparation for the country’s upcoming general elections scheduled for September 16, marking the beginning of an intense political season in the southern African nation.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja announced that the official campaign period will run from July 14 until 48 hours before voting day. The roadmap outlines a structured electoral process aimed at ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Verification, Nominations, and Campaigns
The electoral process will begin with the inspection and verification of the voters’ roll, to be conducted in three phases between mid-April and May 31. The initiative is designed to give citizens an opportunity to confirm their registration status and correct any errors.
Following this, MEC will convene consultations with political party representatives and their ICT experts on June 9 and 10. These discussions will focus on technical systems and electoral integrity ahead of polling.
Nomination papers for presidential, parliamentary, and local government candidates will be collected and submitted between June 10 and July 5. The commission will then assess the submissions before publishing the final list of qualified candidates from July 9 to 14.
Once nominations are confirmed, campaigns will commence in earnest, with political actors expected to crisscross the country to secure votes at all levels of government.
Key Players Emerge in High-Stakes Contest
Though over 20 political parties are registered to participate, the election is shaping up to be a contest between two familiar rivals: the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, will be seeking a second term under the MCP ticket. He will face off against 84-year-old former President Peter Mutharika, who returns to the political stage as the DPP’s presidential candidate.
The campaign is expected to be fiercely contested, with both parties leveraging strongholds and forming strategic alliances.
UTM Repositions After Leadership Loss
In a notable development, the United Transformation Movement (UTM) is repositioning itself under new leadership following the tragic death of its former head, Vice President Saulos Chilima, in a recent plane crash.
Dalitso Kabambe, former Central Bank Governor, has since taken over leadership of the party. Under his stewardship, UTM is exploring alliances with other political outfits including the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) in a bid to strengthen its influence ahead of the polls.
As the electoral calendar unfolds, Malawi now enters a pivotal period marked by political realignment, voter engagement, and high public anticipation for what promises to be a defining national election.