By Dean Chisambo
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) says it is fully prepared to launch its campaign on Monday, 14th July, ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for 16th September 2025.
DPP Director of Elections, Jean Mathanga, made the remarks during the Election Broadcasts Monitoring and Enforcement Committee (EBMCC) sensitization meeting organized by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in Lilongwe on Thursday
Mathanga emphasized that since the last general election, the DPP has been working tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming polls.
She highlighted the critical role of the media during election campaigns, saying it plays a major part in disseminating information across the country.
“It is important that whatever the media does during this period should be properly regulated,” she said.
Mathanga pointed out that while the media operates under a code of conduct, there are instances where some outlets deviate from the expected standards.
She described the EBMCC sensitization meeting as timely and important, as it serves to remind media houses of their responsibilities during the electoral process.
She added that MACRA had also clarified the procedure for submitting complaints to the EBMCC, which will operate throughout the campaign period to handle any grievances from political parties related to media conduct.
Mathanga stressed that the upcoming campaign period must be free, fair, and inclusive for all political players.
She urged Malawians to vote for the DPP, stating that the party has a proven track record of serving all citizens equally, regardless of tribe, status, or region.
“We are speaking for a party that prioritized food security, fertilizer, seeds, and agricultural support during its time in government,” she said.
Mathanga said the DPP managed the economy well, and compared to the current hardships Malawians are facing, the party offers better prospects.
“Life has become unbearable under the current administration—prices have skyrocketed. It’s time Malawi reflects and returns to a party with sound economic management policies,” she added.
She concluded by reminding voters that development under the DPP was equitably distributed across all regions of the country.
On his part, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) First Deputy Publicity Secretary, Kondi Msungama, said MCP is also ready for the elections, even if they were to be held tomorrow.
Msungama defended the party’s leadership, stating that President Lazarus Chakwera inherited a country facing severe challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating floods that affected the economy.
He said despite these challenges, President Chakwera and the MCP-led government have made notable progress and should be given another mandate to govern.
Arthur Chipungu, Deputy Publicity Secretary for the United Transformation Movement (UTM), said the meeting was insightful, equipping them with knowledge on how to conduct campaign rallies responsibly.
He stated that UTM is ready for the elections and called on Malawians to vote for them, citing the party’s solid development manifesto.
Meanwhile, United Democratic Front (UDF) Secretary General Jenena Lemani said his party is also ready to take over government in the September elections.
Lemani said the UDF has developed a campaign strategy focused on issue-based messaging, facts, and ideologies aimed at taking the country out of its current stagnation.
Malawi is expected to hold its next general elections on 16th September 2025.
