Three more presidential candidates in the September 16 2025 General Election, including incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera have confirmed their availability for a meeting with Public Affairs Committee (PAC) this week to discuss electoral issues.
However, former president Peter Mutharika, who is opposition Democratic Progressive Party torchbearer, is non-committal ahead of the PAC-initiated signing of a peace declaration and special prayers scheduled for Monday in Lilongwe.
PAC executive director Robert Phiri in an interview yesterday said besides Chakwera, who is Malawi Congress Party candidate, the others are former president Joyce Banda leading People’s Party and incumbent Vice-President Michael Usi representing Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu Party.
He said the quasi-religious body is expected to meet Banda on Thursday before meeting Chakwera and Usi on Friday, all in separate sessions Lilongwe.
Phiri said his institution is yet to get a response from DPP.
He said: “We are expecting to meet all the presidential candidates before the signing of the peace declaration and prayers on 8th September 2025. So for DPP, we have talked with its secretary general [Peter Mukhito], but he hasn’t come back to say we won’t meet them or not.”
Mukhito was not available for immediate comment.
However, DPP and Mutharika spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said he was not aware of PAC’s intention to meet Mutharika.
However, Phiri said PAC engaged party secretaries general and not spokespersons.
So far, PAC has met five candidates, namely Dalitso Kabambe (UTM), Atupele Muluzi (UDF), Kondwani Nankhumwa (People’s Development Party), Kamuzu Chibambo (People’s Transformation Party) and Adil James Chilungo (Independent).
