By close of presentation of nomination papers yesterday, 10 of the 20 presidential candidates in the September 16 General Election had picked women as their running mates.
But political analysts have cast doubt on the impact of gender in influencing voting outcomes in the country.
In an interview yesterday, political analyst Ernest Thindwa said regional balancing remained a stronger influence on choice of running mates than gender representation.
He said: “Voting patterns show that women have not come together to rally behind female candidates. They are dispersed as they vote along party lines. So, with or without a female running mate, the effect on voting outcomes would still be the same.”
Catholic University of Malawi political science lecturer Sainala Kalebe and political analyst Mavuto Bamusi also expressed doubt that the female running mates will bring a significant number of votes.
Kalebe, in an interview, said as much as there are aspirations to have more women in elected positions, there are a variety of issues such as voter preferences and electoral system that influence voting outcomes.
Women’s Manifesto Movement has been lobbying presidential candidates to pick female running mates, stating that women’s involvement in decision-making is a catalyst for national development.
In an interview yesterday, Women’s Manifesto Movement coordinator Maggie Kathewera Banda said the number of gender balanced pairs in the presidential race shows recognition for equal representation.
She said: “We are saying women should take advantage of their numbers and elect female candidates because if this is not done, their concerns will not be taken on board when policies, strategies and programmes are being developed.”
The Women Manifesto Movement has so far engaged presidential candidates for People’s Party, Malawi Congress Party, UTM Party and United Democratic Front to sign the Women’s Manifesto commitment card.
In the nullified 2019 presidential election and the court-sanctioned 2020 fresh presidential election, there were no female candidates or running mates.
Former president Joyce Banda, who is the sole female presidential aspirant, chose former vice-president Khumbo Kachali as running mate.
MEC’s final voter registration figures for the 2025 General Election show that out of 7 203 390 registered voters, 4 114 720 are female and about 3 088 670 are male
