The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) General Assembly has highlighted the need for voters to choose leaders who are serious about keeping campaign promises and resolving the country’s economic challenges.
The general assembly, a group of Presbyterian Synods of Livingstonia, Nkhoma, Blantyre, Zambia and Harare, issued its pastoral letter yesterday, encouraging its members to become part of the solution to the problems Malawi is facing.
In the pastoral letter, issued about two months before Malawians go to the pools to elect the President, members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors on September 16, the assembly cites nepotism, corruption, hunger, delayed justice and lack of forex as some of the challenges the country is grappling with.
The letter advises Malawians not to vote based on tribe, region or religion but rather based on the candidate’s capability to develop the country.
Reads the letter in part: “As we go for voting, therefore, let us think of leaders who are serious about improving our economy. Let us think of people who will be genuine in wanting to fulfill their promises. We should not vote for leaders who cannot keep their promises and cannot be held accountable.”
The assembly also warns ministers and church leaders to refrain from using the pulpit for political gains, stressing that their calling is to serve God and not to advance personal or party agendas.
It also calls out political violence, urging CCAP members who hold positions of influence in government security departments to use their powers to stop all forms of violence and arrest perpetrators.
Further reads the letter: “All players in the preparations and running of the elections must provide a fair environment to all.”
On the other hand, the assembly commends the government for efforts such as food assistance to the needy, social cash transfers, construction of roads and provision of business loans.
Commenting on the letter, governance expert George Chaima said the clergy have guided Malawians objectively on the need for leadership that is action-oriented and passionate about uplifting the lives of poor people.
However, in a separate interview, political analyst Ernest Thindwa expressed doubt that the guidance from the clergy will influence voter preferences, saying the nature of the country’s politics is “exclusionary”.
According to him, people will continue to vote not on the basis of competency or good policies but rather on whether they will be considers outsiders or insiders once a new government is voted into power and this is, he said, defined by ethnic and regional lines.
Said Thindwa: “The clergy should target their message to politicians to change the nature of politics so that it is seen to be responding to the common good. As it is, politicians are not conducting politics that promotes nation-building.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu, who is also government spokesperson, has said the Lazarus Chakwera administration values the sound relationship that exists between government and religious bodies in the country.
He said: “The positives that we are registering are as a result of our shared belief that Malawi can move forward if we depart from merely criticizing and embrace dialogue as the foundation for our recovery process.”
Malawians will head to the polls on September 16 this year to vote for the President, 229 MPs and 509 ward councillors.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is today expected to launch the two months official campaign period that will run up to September 14 2025.
MEC data shows that 7.2 million people registered to cast their ballot in the general election while 17 presidential aspirants have so far collected nomination papers.
