Folks, next Tuesday’s general elections are interesting given that the two front-runners, MCP and DPP, have both let the people down during their reigns, yet here we are, expected to choose between the lesser of two disappointments.
For starters, this election, like all those before it, gives eligible voters a rare chance to hold leaders accountable for their track record—on behalf of more than 21 million Malawians. They will do this by choosing who sits as Malawi’s next President, members of Parliament and Ward councillors come September 16.
And as they say, in any true democracy, the people will speak loudest at the ballot box just like in 2020, when Malawians booted Arthur Peter Mutharika and the DPP out of government. That decision came on the back of rampant corruption, economic mismanagement, arrogance, and disregard for citizens’ suffering. Public funds were looted, state institutions were hollowed out, and ordinary people bore the brunt. Leadership had completely lost touch with the people.
Then came the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), promising a “new Malawi”, only to repeat many of the same DPP mistakes. Over the past five years, citizens have faced the same struggles: a crippling cost of living, allegations of corruption, mountains of unfulfilled promises, a falling kwacha, shortages of foreign exchange, fuel, and essential medicines. Both parties, it seems, have let the nation down.
However, three days to the crucial vote, many voters face a bitter choice between a past that betrayed them (2014-2020) or a present that has disappointed them (2020-2025). With either Mutharika or Chakwera likely to win (because they are regarded as the main contenders), the question is not who is perfect, but who represents the lesser liability.
If DPP returns, will we relapse into the mistakes of the past? And if MCP wins again, will we endure another five years of indecisive leadership, broken promises, economic hardship, rising prices, fuel and forex shortages, medicine scarcities, and partisan operatives who intimidate dissenters?
And the road to Tuesday’s elections feels more uncertain than ever. Yet, it is crucial to remain hopeful, believing this vote could usher in leadership that breaks free from past failures, replaces empty promises with tangible progress, and governs with integrity, innovation and genuine service to the people.
Someone once said that no government loses power without cause. Past losses in 1964, 1993, 1994, 2014 and 2020 were the result of leaders’ own failures. Sadly, many politicians who once condemned corruption and nepotism have justified the same practices once in power. This is why Malawians must learn to treat elections not as mere rituals. After this vote, citizens must learn to demand more than flashy slogans. They must seek leaders with practical plans to move the nation forward, not those who simply shout the loudest at rallies.
And the time to demand accountability comes this Tuesday. Vote wisely and let peace guide our democratic actions before, during and after the election. To the winners, celebrate responsibly, as we expect losers to accept the verdict gracefully (if all goes well). Your moment may come again.
And to MEC and all stakeholders, safeguard the credibility of this process so that the people’s voice cannot be questioned.
May the best candidates win, and good luck to all contestants.
