By Burnett Munthali
The official launch of the campaign period for the September 16 General Election is currently underway at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
This significant event marks the formal beginning of what is expected to be an intense and competitive campaign season across Malawi.
The launch is setting the tone for how political parties and individual candidates will engage with voters in the coming weeks.
It represents a turning point in the electoral calendar, shifting focus from preparations to active voter mobilization and public messaging.
Chairperson for the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, Ben Chakhame, has urged all political players to prioritize issue-based campaigns.
He emphasized that this campaign period should not be about “who is the roughest” or most aggressive, but rather about which leaders offer real and practical solutions to Malawi’s longstanding social and economic problems.
Chakhame’s remarks highlight the need for maturity, respect, and responsibility as parties battle for votes in what many believe is a defining moment for the nation.
Also present at the campaign launch are representatives of various political parties, civil society organizations, and other high-profile dignitaries.
Their attendance reflects the importance of this campaign season not just as a political ritual, but as a democratic process involving all sectors of society.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), by facilitating such an inclusive and well-organized launch, has demonstrated its commitment to a transparent and peaceful electoral process.
As the campaign period gets underway, all eyes will now turn to how candidates articulate their manifestos, how they engage the electorate, and whether they will uphold democratic values.
With just weeks remaining before the September 16 polls, the stage is now fully set for a campaign that could shape the future direction of Malawi’s democracy.
