By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has officially named Dr. Jane Ansah as his running mate for the September 16, 2025, election.
This announcement has stirred political interest and sent a strong message about the direction and tone of the DPP campaign ahead of the polls.
Dr. Jane Ansah is no stranger to Malawi’s political and legal landscape, having served as a distinguished lawyer, Justice of the Supreme Court, Attorney General, and Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Her selection as running mate is a calculated move that blends legal expertise, institutional experience, and a deep understanding of governance.
From a strategic standpoint, her appointment could appeal to educated voters, legal professionals, the clergy, and middle-class Malawians who value stability, order, and legal competence.
Her previous role as MEC Chairperson, although controversial, demonstrated her ability to withstand immense political pressure and maintain institutional composure in volatile times.
She brings to the ticket a sense of discipline, composure, and intellectual clarity, qualities that may complement Mutharika’s elder statesman image and appeal to voters seeking experience over populism.
Gender dynamics also play a critical role in this decision, as her nomination may attract support from women and gender equality advocates who have long demanded meaningful representation of women at the highest levels of power.
With Dr. Ansah on the ticket, the DPP can claim to be promoting inclusive leadership and demonstrating confidence in women’s capacity to serve in the executive arm of government.
Her appointment also sends a powerful message to younger Malawians, particularly young women, that competence, professionalism, and legal integrity can open doors to national leadership.
For Mutharika, this selection signals a campaign that seeks to prioritize governance reforms, constitutional order, and a return to structured leadership grounded in law and institutionalism.
Critics of the decision may point to her controversial tenure at MEC during the 2019 elections, which led to the nullification of presidential results by the Constitutional Court.
However, Mutharika appears to be reframing her past experience as a testament to resilience rather than failure, suggesting that she is well-equipped to navigate high-pressure political environments.
By embracing a candidate who has been both praised and criticized, the DPP is attempting to portray boldness, reconciliation, and national healing within the context of legal tradition.
Dr. Ansah’s deep familiarity with electoral systems and constitutional law will also be an asset in ensuring the DPP’s campaign remains legally compliant and technically robust.
Her selection enhances the DPP’s image as a party that values intellectual leadership, constitutional literacy, and national unity.
In sum, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s choice of Dr. Jane Ansah as running mate is not just symbolic—it is a substantive and strategic step designed to position the DPP as the most credible alternative to the current administration.
Whether this move translates into political mileage will depend on how well the campaign communicates her strengths and redefines her controversial past into a leadership asset.
Nonetheless, the DPP has taken a bold and thoughtful approach, signalling a return to serious, grounded leadership ahead of the September 2025 election.
