Former president Joyce Banda will this morning be the first to present her presidential nomination papers at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, marking the start of a busy week for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
There are 20 presidential aspirants so far, including incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party and immediate-past president Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party vying for the highest office on the land in the high stakes September 16 General Election.
Mutharika will follow suit tomorrow while Chakwera will be the last on the afternoon of July 30, according to a MEC schedule.
The presentation of nomination papers puts into full swing the 60-day official campaign period MEC launched on July 14 2025.
MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja will be receiving the nomination papers from candidates.
Coming within the framework of a new package of electoral laws, the September 16 polls pose a major test to the country’s democratic architecture’s ability to manage transparent and credible elections and handle any resultant political transitions.
The key highlight of the presentation of presidential nomination papers is usually the unveiling of running mates by the respective candidates.
To date, the candidates have kept their choices under wraps with only independent Milward Tobias naming nutritionist Henry Mdebwe as his running mate.
In separate interviews yesterday, political and legal pundits highlighted several issues to watch out for, including issue-based campaigning, enforcement of the law on handouts by the Registrar of Political Parties and curbing political violence by Malawi Police Service.
Human rights lawyer Khwima Mchizi said any well-meaning Malawian expects all duty-bearers, including police and Registrar of Political Parties, to carry out their duties independently.
He said: “We now have regulations governing the issue of handouts and we expect that the Registrar of Political Parties will act when anyone acts otherwise, no bias. Positions that people have been given should not be used for political expediency.
“The police have to do better. This is a crucial period for Malawi and any inaction from the police as has been the case previously will worsen the situation, plunge everything that has taken so long to organise.”
Lawyer Justin Dzonzi said he foresees a difficult task by both the registrar and police due to both human and material resource limitations.
He said: “I doubt if the Registrar has the human and material resources to enforce the handouts law. Again, it will be difficult to have cooperation from political parties on this, because it has become too difficult to define handouts.
“If a candidate invites people, gives them cash for transport and meals, will that be a handout? What if a candidate goes round distributing maize to people, and now we have branded water, will those be treated as handouts?”
Dzonzi also noted that the police do not have the human resource to be everywhere politicians will be holding rallies in a bid to stop violence. He urged parties to tell their supporters to be peaceful.
Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said they expect an issue-based campaign, where politicians move away from name calling and mudslinging to focus on how to deal with the country’s challenges.
“Police have to work for all people, our media, both public and private, has to present accurate information so that people appreciate these candidates and what they promise,” he said.
According to MEC, the total number of registered voters for the 2025 General Election is 7 203 390.
Apart from Banda, Chakwera, Mutharika and Tobias, other presidential candidates expected to present nomination papers are Adil James Chilungo, Kondwani Nankhumwa, Akwame Bandawe, Atupele Muluzi, Revelend Hardwick Kaliya, Frank Mwenifumbo, Dalitso Kabambe, Kamuzu Chibambo, Smart Swira, David Mbewe, Cassim Chilumpha, Daniel Dube, Cosmas Felix Chipojola, Michael Usi, Jordan Sauti and Phunziro Mvula.
