The Presidential Debates Taskforce has urged all five invited political parties to take part in tomorrow’s second round of presidential debates, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue ahead of the 2025 general elections.
In a statement issued on September 8, 2025, Chairperson Golden Matonga revealed that invitations were extended to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM, People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF).
The Taskforce highlighted that the debates play a crucial role in strengthening democracy by giving candidates a platform to share their policies and plans directly with voters.
“Tomorrow’s debate will follow the same format as the first round, where five parties were invited based on agreed criteria,” the statement read.
During the first round, only UTM, PP and UDF participated while MCP and DPP declined to attend, a move that sparked public debate about their commitment to transparency and accountability.
As voters seek clarity on how different parties intend to tackle Malawi’s pressing challenges, including the economy, unemployment and corruption.
Justice Dr. Jane Ansah, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) running mate, has pledged major investment in education and grassroots development as she launched her whistle-stop campaign tour in Ntcheu North West.
Speaking at Kanyimbo Primary School, Dr. Ansah addressed a cheering crowd of supporters who had gathered to hear her outline the DPP’s priorities for the next government.
Ansah
She announced that a future DPP administration would abolish school and examination fees, ensuring that no child is denied access to education because of financial barriers.
Dr. Ansah also highlighted targeted programs designed to empower women and young people through direct financial support.
These include the introduction of a K100 million women’s loan fund to promote entrepreneurship and economic independence among women.
She further committed to the creation of a K100 million youth entrepreneurship fund aimed at fostering innovation and self-reliance among Malawi’s growing youth population.
In addition, Dr. Ansah outlined plans for a K5 billion annual Constituency Development Fund that would be managed by local committees.
She emphasized that this approach would give communities greater control over how resources are allocated, ensuring that development reflects local priorities.
“I am standing to serve you—the people of Ntcheu North West. Our future depends on development that reflects your voices,” she told the crowd, positioning herself as both a representative and a listener.
The event marked the beginning of her constituency-wide whistle-stop tour, which is expected to cover trading centers, schools, and villages across Ntcheu North West.
*Conclusion*
Dr. Jane Ansah’s launch of her campaign tour in Ntcheu North West highlights the DPP’s strategy of combining national policy pledges with grassroots empowerment.
Her promises to abolish school fees and expand community-level funding reflect an attempt to address both the immediate needs of households and the broader structural issues of education and local development.
The emphasis on women and youth loan funds also underscores the party’s recognition of Malawi’s demographic realities, where young people and women form the majority of the population.
While the pledges are ambitious, their success will ultimately depend on the DPP’s ability to mobilize resources and ensure transparency in the management of funds.
For now, the promises serve as a rallying point for supporters in Ntcheu North West, as Dr. Ansah positions herself as both a national leader and a community advocate in her first major outing as the party’s running mate.
UTM Party has suffered a setback in Lilongwe Mlodza constituency after its aspiring candidate Chisomo Nkhata, announced that he will not represent the party in the upcoming elections scheduled for next week.
Nkhata revealed that his decision follows the party’s move to submit the name of Shyreen Masanza to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) as its official candidate for the parliamentary race.
Chisomo Nkhata
Speaking to 247 Malawi News publication,Nkhata said he felt betrayed by the party’s leadership and has since resigned in protest.
“I have been deeply disappointed by how this matter was handled. I expected fairness and transparency but the decision to sideline me has left me with no choice but to leave the party,” he said.
While Nkhata will not contest in next week’s election, he confirmed that he plans to run as an independent candidate in the 2030 general elections.
The development comes at a critical time for UTM, which is under pressure to strengthen its grassroots support ahead of the 2025 general elections.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera today joined religious leaders, political party representatives, civil society organizations and members of the diplomatic community at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe for the National Prayers for the Signing of the Peace Declaration ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The event, organized by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), brought together key stakeholders with a shared goal of promoting peaceful, credible and transparent elections. It was held under the theme: “In Choosing a Path of Dialogue and Mediation, Violence is Not an Option.”
Chakwera and Atupele Muluzi
In his opening remarks, President Chakwera emphasized the need for unity and tolerance, urging all political leaders to prioritize the country’s interests over personal ambitions.
“Elections must never divide us as a nation. As leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that political competition does not turn into conflict. Today, we are here to make a firm commitment to peace, knowing that the stability of Malawi is more important than any single victory,” said Chakwera.
PAC Chairperson Reverend Dr. Gilford Matonga said the prayers were a vital step in fostering national reconciliation and building trust among political players ahead of the elections.
“The peace declaration is not just a document,it is a moral commitment to put the welfare of Malawians first. We want to ensure that what we saw in past elections tensions, mistrust, and violence is not repeated,” he said.
During the ceremony, representatives from major political parties, including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), and United Transformation Movement (UTM), pledged to uphold peace during campaigns and voting.
The event also featured prayers and messages of hope from leaders of various faith groups, including the Malawi Council of Churches, Episcopal Conference of Malawi and the Muslim Association of Malawi. The interfaith prayers sought divine guidance for the nation as it prepares for one of its most closely watched elections.
Representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and several foreign embassies were also in attendance, signaling global support for Malawi’s commitment to democratic stability.
The peace declaration initiative comes amid growing concerns about political tension and misinformation ahead of the 2025 polls. PAC hopes that by bringing leaders together now, Malawi can avoid violence and disputes that have marred elections in other countries within the region.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera today joined religious leaders, political party representatives, civil society organizations and members of the diplomatic community at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe for the National Prayers for the Signing of the Peace Declaration ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The event, organized by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), brought together key stakeholders with a shared goal of promoting peaceful, credible and transparent elections. It was held under the theme: “In Choosing a Path of Dialogue and Mediation, Violence is Not an Option.”
Chakwera and Atupele Muluzi
In his opening remarks, President Chakwera emphasized the need for unity and tolerance, urging all political leaders to prioritize the country’s interests over personal ambitions.
“Elections must never divide us as a nation. As leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that political competition does not turn into conflict. Today, we are here to make a firm commitment to peace, knowing that the stability of Malawi is more important than any single victory,” said Chakwera.
PAC Chairperson Reverend Dr. Gilford Matonga said the prayers were a vital step in fostering national reconciliation and building trust among political players ahead of the elections.
“The peace declaration is not just a document,it is a moral commitment to put the welfare of Malawians first. We want to ensure that what we saw in past elections tensions, mistrust, and violence is not repeated,” he said.
During the ceremony, representatives from major political parties, including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), and United Transformation Movement (UTM), pledged to uphold peace during campaigns and voting.
The event also featured prayers and messages of hope from leaders of various faith groups, including the Malawi Council of Churches, Episcopal Conference of Malawi and the Muslim Association of Malawi. The interfaith prayers sought divine guidance for the nation as it prepares for one of its most closely watched elections.
Representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and several foreign embassies were also in attendance, signaling global support for Malawi’s commitment to democratic stability.
The peace declaration initiative comes amid growing concerns about political tension and misinformation ahead of the 2025 polls. PAC hopes that by bringing leaders together now, Malawi can avoid violence and disputes that have marred elections in other countries within the region.
