The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has announced it will conduct a supplementary voter registration exercise to address gaps identified during the initial registration phases for the 2025 General Election. The decision follows a High Court directive issued on October 25, 2024, and a review of the voter registration process conducted earlier this year.
The Malawi government has been urged to prioritize transparency and accountability throughout the 2025 General Elections process to prevent suspicions of electoral malpractice, says Rev. Baxton Maulidi, the economic justice and accountability champion for the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in Malawi.
Former Minister and UDF leader Atupele Muluzi, fondly known as ‘clean politician’, has responded to President Lazarus Chakwera’s recent national address, pointing out significant gaps in the government’s approach to addressing Malawi’s crises. While acknowledging the President’s efforts, Muluzi criticized the speech for lacking a transformative vision and focusing primarily on temporary fixes.
UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe stirred mixed reactions during his whistle-stop tour in Lilongwe yesterday as he mocked President Lazarus Chakwera and addressed the nation’s escalating cost of living.
As Malawi inches closer to the 2025 general elections, a disconcerting political reality is taking shape—former presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda are positioning themselves to reclaim power. This development should not be taken lightly, as it signals the potential for a dangerous recycling of leadership that failed to meet the country’s needs in the past.
The recent break-in at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) office, where a laptop containing evidence related to corruption complaints against judicial officers was stolen, raises serious questions about the JSC’s commitment to rooting out corruption within the judiciary. The incident, while officially downplayed by JSC Secretary Irene Chikapa, has sparked concerns from various quarters about the integrity of the body entrusted with investigating misconduct within Malawi’s judicial system.
The President of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Atupele Muluzi, has come out strongly to dismiss circulating rumors claiming that the UDF has been in alliance discussions with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ahead of the 2025 elections. In a firm and unambiguous statement posted on his Facebook page, Muluzi also debunked allegations of his purported travel to Dubai, labeling the claims as outright falsehoods.
President Lazarus Chakwera’s failure to promptly accept Minister Agnes Makonda Nyalonje’s resignation is just one in a string of glaring examples of indecision and lethargy that have come to define his presidency. For five months, Chakwera sat on a straightforward matter, finally accepting her resignation in December after it was submitted in July. This delay is symptomatic of a leadership style that prioritizes procrastination over progress, leaving Malawi adrift in a sea of unaddressed crises.
The belief that the UTM was the driving force behind MCP’s 2020 election victory is an overblown narrative that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny when you examine the numbers. While the Tonse Alliance delivered a decisive win against the DPP-UDF coalition, the UTM’s actual contribution to that victory was far smaller than some people claim.
President Lazarus Chakwera’s current Cabinet has outlived its purpose. Instituted two years ago, it was designed to consolidate power and manage the governance machinery. However, with elections looming next year, this Cabinet no longer serves the pressing need of the moment: securing the people’s vote. It is time for Chakwera to demonstrate political acumen, dismantle the elite-driven setup, and appoint a campaign Cabinet that resonates with ordinary Malawians.