Friday, the Malawi Electoral Commission launched next year’s tripartite elections, which are expected to be a very gruelling affair.
In September 2025, Malawians will once again exercise their right to elect new leaders—a President, members of Parliament and ward councillors—most likely another crop of inconsiderate politicians who will take turns ruining the country.
For decades, voters have merely been given chances to elect new plunderers because among those vying for the positions, few genuinely seek to serve the people.
Visit the villages and see how people are struggling to access clean and potable water or trekking long distances to obtain medical attention.
There are public structures that remain incomplete despite resources being allocated, as someone has embezzled the funds.
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All this is a consequence of the leaders you elect, who do not care about your welfare as long as they are getting enough to fill their own bellies and those of their relatives and cronies.
On a national level, Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in the world despite our leaders making grand promises.
The scramble for seats in the upcoming elections has begun—it is that time again when the entire political landscape turns into a battleground with missiles being thrown from all corners.
It is not as though the people vying for these positions are doing so out of a genuine desire to improve the welfare of Malawians.
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They are not prepared to fight for the positions out of frustration over Malawi’s poverty; rather, they simply wish to have their turn at plundering the national treasury.
Meanwhile, governing Malawi Congress Party, its former partner in the Tonse Alliance, UTM, and the erstwhile governing Democratic Progressive Party appear to be the main contenders in the forthcoming elections.
UTM is still grappling with turmoil following the death of its leader, Saulos Chilima, as the party seems to lack someone who can fill the vice president’s shoes.
None of the UTM officials seem to possess Chilima’s charisma, so the party is courting outsiders to lead it.
So far, former Reserve Bank of Malawi governor Dalitso Kabambe has emerged as a favourite among UTM supporters, who argue that Michael Usi should not lead the party.
However, it will all depend on the outcome of the convention, where Usi might surprise those who oppose his leadership.
Frustrated by their apparent exclusion from the Tonse Alliance administration, those who did not secure government positions are reverting to their usual tactic of criticism.
Things are likely to worsen as the elections approach, with parties clarifying their intentions, whether to go solo or forge alliances.
As is often the case during election periods, we will once again hear about who is the most corrupt among the aspirants and who is the most virtuous.
We will be bombarded with grand promises about what the candidates intend to do if elected.
Current leaders will be scrambling to implement projects they have neglected in an attempt to deceive voters into believing they care about their welfare.
It is that time of deception again when politicians will suddenly become philanthropists and considerate leaders.
Those who abandoned their constituencies immediately after being declared winners of the 2019 parliamentary elections will return with gifts for gullible voters, who may give them another chance to exploit and deceive.
They will make unrealistic promises similar to those made during the 2019 and 2020 election campaigns.
Voters must scrutinise these promises and call out those who are clearly making infeasible commitments.
For the current administration, we know what promises were made and what has been left unfulfilled.
There were also unrealistic pledges from other alliance partners, such as those made by UTM, which were incorporated into the alliance.
Many developments will unfold ahead of the election.
My hope is that voters will be wiser this time and reject politicians who cannot contribute to the country’s development.
