Presidential debates ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election are set to take place in August and September courtesy of the Presidential Debates Task Force, it has emerged.
The task force, which comprises representatives from the media, government and civil society, among others, yesterday met officials from People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) in Lilongwe to discuss their participation in the debates.
A statement from the task force issued after the meeting yesterday quoted PP secretary general Ben Chakhame as having expressed his party’s commitment to take part.
He said the debates will provide an important platform for political parties to outline their agenda to the public.
“We look forward to sharing our agenda with the public. The debates are a free marketing platform, which we will utilise to sell our ideas to the people,” said Chakhame.
On his part, task force chairperson Golden Matonga said the debates will be integral to fostering unity.
“It is also important to note that the debates will foster unity and peaceful co-existence as they will bring together candidates from different political parties and ideologies to debate and openly agree to disagree on important policy issues before Malawians,” said the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter chairperson.
The task force, which held similar debates prior to the 2014 and 2019 elections, is being chaired by Misa Malawi Chapter with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI). It is also expected to meet other political parties to discuss their participation in the debates.
According to the statement, the debates are expected to foster citizen participation in the democratic processes by providing candidates with a platform to articulate their plans for Malawi on a wide range of policies and issues.
Task force members include Centre for Multiparty Democracy, which will deputise Misa Malawi, Malawi Human Rights Commission, Malawi Law Society, Public Affairs Committee, Media Council of Malawi, NGO Gender Coordination Network and National Youth Council of Malawi.
Other members include Political Science Association of Malawi, National Initiative for Civic Education Trust, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Times Group, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Civil Society Agriculture Network and NextGen Leaders Association.
