By Burnett Munthali
As Malawi draws closer to the highly anticipated presidential elections scheduled for 16 September 2025, the political landscape continues to shift with growing intensity.
On Monday, 1 July 2025, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) confirmed that yet another contender has joined the presidential race.
Cassim Chilumpha, representing the Assembly for Democracy and Development (ADD), has officially collected nomination papers to contest in the upcoming polls.
Chilumpha, a seasoned politician and former Vice President of Malawi, becomes the fifteenth aspirant to take the initial step toward the presidency by collecting nomination documents.
This development signifies an increasingly competitive and crowded field, suggesting that voters will be presented with a diverse range of political ideologies, manifestos, and leadership styles.
As it stands, the total number of individuals who have collected nomination papers for the presidency is fifteen.
Among these are three independent candidates: Milward Tobias, Adil James Chilungo, and Reverend Hardwick Kaliya, each bringing a unique perspective outside the mainstream political party structures.
The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) will once again be represented by incumbent President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who seeks a second term in office amid mixed reviews of his leadership and governance record.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is fielding former President Arthur Peter Mutharika, who is aiming for a political comeback after losing power in the 2020 court-sanctioned elections.
Dalitso Kabambe, a former Reserve Bank Governor, has emerged as the candidate for the UTM, a party founded by the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) will be represented by Atupele Austin Muluzi, continuing the political legacy of the Muluzi family.
Former President Joyce Banda is also in the race under the banner of the People’s Party (PP), setting the stage for a possible clash of former state leaders.
Kondwani Nankhumwa, once a high-ranking member of the DPP, has broken ranks and will contest under his newly formed People’s Development Party.
Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo, another political veteran, will carry the flag for the National Development Party (NDP), while Kamuzu Walter Chibambo returns to the national stage with the People’s Transformation Party (Petra).
Newcomer Akwame Bandawe, running on the Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA) ticket, adds to the growing list of fresh faces hoping to reshape the country’s political direction.
Independent candidate Smart Swira has also thrown his hat into the ring, as has David Mbewe of the Liberation for Economic Freedom Party (LEFP), adding further diversity to the ideological spectrum.
As the nomination period progresses, political analysts and voters alike are watching closely to see who else may emerge in this high-stakes contest.
The expanding list of contenders underscores the growing appetite for change, leadership alternatives, and democratic participation across Malawi’s electorate.
With nomination papers now collected by fifteen individuals, the presidential race is shaping up to be one of the most vibrant and unpredictable in Malawi’s recent history.
The coming weeks are expected to bring more campaign activity, manifesto launches, public debates, and strategic alliances as candidates prepare to convince Malawians that they are the right choice to lead the nation beyond 2025.
