By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Director of Women, Mary Navicha, has assured Malawians that next year’s elections will be free of any form of rigging, stating that both the party and the international donor community are closely monitoring developments to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. Speaking at a press briefing under the banner #DPPPresser, Navicha expressed confidence that the DPP would return to power in 2025, offering Malawians relief from the economic and social challenges they currently face under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)-led government.
Navicha’s comments come amid growing public anxiety about the upcoming elections, scheduled to take place less than 11 months from now. The DPP, which lost power in the 2020 court-sanctioned re-run election, has been positioning itself as the party to address the myriad problems currently affecting the country, including unemployment, inflation, and widespread poverty.
In her statement, Navicha reiterated the DPP’s commitment to a fair electoral process, emphasizing that all necessary precautions would be taken to prevent any attempt at rigging. “We want to assure Malawians that there will be no rigging in next year’s polls. We are working tirelessly to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and credible. Both the DPP and the international donor community are watching closely to guarantee that the will of the people is respected,” she said.
Navicha also took the opportunity to rally support for the DPP’s return to power, promising that the party would rescue Malawians from the hardships they have endured over the past few years. “Malawians have less than 11 months before they are bailed out of the challenges they are facing. The DPP will be back in government next year, and we are ready to restore the dignity and prosperity that Malawians deserve,” she confidently declared.
The DPP has been vocal in its criticism of the current administration, accusing President Lazarus Chakwera’s government of mismanagement, corruption, and failure to deliver on its campaign promises. Navicha’s statements reflect the party’s growing optimism that it can capitalize on the discontent within the population and secure a victory in the 2025 general elections.
While the DPP ramps up its election preparedness, questions surrounding electoral reforms and the integrity of Malawi’s electoral system continue to dominate national discourse. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has been under pressure to implement reforms that will strengthen the transparency and fairness of the upcoming elections. The international community, including key donor nations, has also been keeping a close eye on the electoral process, with many calling for improvements in the management of voter rolls, polling procedures, and vote tabulation.
Navicha’s reassurances about donor community oversight come at a crucial time, as both local and international observers have emphasized the need for a credible election. Previous elections have been marred by allegations of fraud and vote rigging, leading to court challenges and political instability. The DPP, having been at the center of the disputed 2019 elections, is now keen to distance itself from any past controversies and position itself as the party of integrity going into 2025.
Public reactions to Navicha’s remarks have been varied. While DPP supporters welcomed her confidence and commitment to a clean election, others expressed skepticism, pointing to Malawi’s history of contentious elections and the political culture of patronage. On social media, the hashtag #DPPPresser trended, with many discussing the implications of the upcoming elections and the possibility of a DPP comeback.
The countdown to Malawi’s next general election has officially begun, and the political landscape is already heating up. With assurances from the DPP leadership, including Mary Navicha, that the electoral process will be closely monitored, Malawians are left to wait and see if the promises of fairness and transparency will be upheld.
As the election date draws nearer, both political parties and the general public are likely to intensify their scrutiny of the preparations to ensure that Malawi’s democracy remains robust and its elections credible.
Burnett Munthali is a political analyst and writer focusing on electoral integrity and political dynamics in Malawi.
