By Mercy Matonga:
With only 15 days remaining before Malawians head to the ballot, political parties have declared their preparedness for the September 16 elections.
From campaign rallies to manifestos, parties are making final efforts to convince the electorate they are best placed to lead the country for the next five years.
In an interview with The Daily Times, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), People’s Party (PP), Odya Zake Alibe Mulandu (Ozam) and UTM all expressed optimism about leading in the upcoming polls.
MCP, through spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, said the party is more than ready and believes it will win with 70+1 in the elections.
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“We are competing with people who are clueless about leadership. We are competing with leaders who do not understand what Malawians need. Only our leader, President Lazarus Chakwera, is the leader Malawi needs now,” Kabwila said.
She also claimed that under Chakwera’s leadership, the country has seen development through improved roads and agriculture.
Ozam spokesperson Yohane Kondowe said the party has received positive support from Malawians, giving them confidence ahead of the polls.
“Malawians know almost all the leaders who have previously failed this country. Most contestants have issues and that’s a red flag for leadership. Odya Zake, through our leader, will deliver for Malawi,” Kondowe said.
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Regarding challenges, Kondowe admitted that the remaining campaign period may not be sufficient to reach all areas.
In a separate interview, UTM Secretary General Willet Karonga said Malawians are suffering daily due to numerous challenges and that only Dalitso Kabambe can solve the economic crisis.
“Every day, Malawians suffer from hunger due to the high cost of living. Prices of food and basic needs continue to rise, making it difficult for people to survive,” Karonga said.
He also said misinformation about the country’s status is a major challenge as the party tries to win voter support.
PP, through Secretary General Ben Chakhame, said it will continue campaigning as usual and is not panicking.
“In any competition, every candidate wants to win and that applies to us. But Malawians have the final say.
“If they want immediate and long-term solutions to acute hunger, forex shortages and economic challenges at all levels or free secondary education, then they will vote for Dr Joyce Banda,” Chakhame said.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Shadrick Namalomba was not immediately available for comment yesterday.
Commenting on the campaign outlook and Malawi’s future beyond September 16, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira said current campaign promises appear recycled and lack substance.
“In short, the promises being made are a repetition of past failures rather than a beacon of hope. Malawians must use this period to demand accountability and reject mediocrity,” Kambwandira said.
Analyst Wonderful Mkhutche said the campaign is less exciting than previous elections, apparently because the so-called two leading parties, DPP and MCP, have not built their campaigns around real issues.
“They are only banking on tribal votes and making promises everyone knows they cannot fulfil. Malawians feel doomed, as there is no hope in either the ruling or opposition parties, hence resigning themselves to the fate of whoever wins,” Mkhutche said.
