Main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has started identifying its candidates in the parliamentary and local government race in the September 16 2025 General Election with primaries in some parts of the Northern Region.
During the first phase of the exercise on Saturday, the primaries were conducted in 10 constituencies in Karonga, Mzimba, Mzuzu and Nkhata Bay while yesterday they moved to Chitipa and Likoma.
In an interview yesterday, DPP director of elections Jean Mathanga said the primary polls first phase generally started on a good note, but a major challenge was reported in Nkhata Bay Chintheche Constituency where they were postponed due to disagreements over delegates.
“The candidates did not agree on the delegates who were supposed to vote. So, to ensure fairness, the polls have been postponed until the misunderstandings are resolved,” she said.
Mathanga further said that the second phase of the primary polls will cover constituencies with sitting members of Parliament (MPs).
In Karonga South Constituency, former MP Glad Chembe Munthali won triumphed in Mzimba Perekezi Constituency.
Besides DPP, the United Democratic Front (UDF) is another opposition party represented in Parliament which has been conducting primary elections.
UDF has so far conducted elections in some constituencies in Machinga and Zomba districts.
On the other hand, UTM Party publicity secretary Felix Njawala said in an interview yesterday that the party is set to start conducting primary elections on April 25 2025.
The governing Malawi Congress Party led the way when it started its elections in February.
Yesterday, the party was scheduled to conduct elections in some constituencies in Machinga and Kasungu districts.
Malawians will head to the polls on September 16 this year to elect a President, 229 members of Parliament and 509 ward councillors.
The MEC electoral calendar shows that nomination papers from parliamentary and local government election candidates will be received between April and June 2025.
