By Burnett Munthali
In a rare political coincidence, former president and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader Peter Mutharika and his former protégé-turned-UTM Party leader Dalitso Kabambe registered as voters within a few kilometers of each other in Thyolo yesterday. Both leaders took the opportunity to address their supporters and woo eligible voters in preparation for the highly anticipated September 16, 2025, General Elections.
Kabambe, who was accompanied by his supporters, registered at Chikumba Primary School near Masambanjati, while Mutharika, joined by his wife Gertrude, registered at Goliati Trading Centre.
Mutharika, who led Malawi from 2014 to 2020, spent less than 10 minutes at the voter registration center before addressing a crowd of DPP supporters. In his speech, he pledged to tackle Malawi’s challenges, including hunger, inflation, and nepotism, and described himself as the ideal candidate for the presidency.
“I am surprised that Dr. Chakwera still wants to contest in the 2025 Presidential Election,” Mutharika said. “This administration has failed Malawians. Prices have skyrocketed, and the people are suffering.”
The former president also accused the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of plotting to rig the elections through Smartmatic, a company contracted to manage the electoral process.
“MCP wants to rig the elections with their Smartmatic company,” he warned. “Do not let this discourage you from registering because we will not accept rigged results. Register so we can vote this government out.”
Kabambe, who left the DPP in July after a power struggle to replace Mutharika as party leader, echoed similar sentiments about the need for change in leadership. Addressing his supporters after registering, he expressed confidence in his ability to lead Malawi into a brighter future.
“UTM will win in 2025, and Malawians want change. They must vote for me,” Kabambe said to his enthusiastic followers.
Kabambe took the reins of the UTM Party following the tragic death of its founding president and then-Vice President Saulos Chilima in a military plane crash earlier this year. His rise to leadership saw him secure 636 votes at the UTM convention, defeating key contenders such as Patricia Kaliati, Newton Kambala, and Matthews Mtumbuka.
Kabambe called for the extension of the voter registration exercise by three weeks, citing logistical challenges in many registration centers. “It is crucial that MEC extends this process to ensure all eligible voters are registered,” he emphasized.
Both Mutharika and Kabambe criticized President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, calling for a change in leadership. They urged supporters to register as voters to ensure their voices are heard in the 2025 elections.
Kabambe also revealed that he had met with UTM presidential aspirants who lost at the recent convention, including Kaliati, Kambala, and Mtumbuka, to foster unity within the party. “We made commitments to work together, and my colleagues are committed to this cause,” he said.
The voter registration exercise, now in its second phase, is set to conclude today in Thyolo and other districts, including Blantyre, Zomba, Kasungu, and Nkhata Bay. So far, 168 constituencies and 374 wards have completed the registration process, with the remaining areas scheduled for November 28 to December 3.
As the 2025 elections draw closer, the political rivalry between Mutharika and Kabambe, once allies in the DPP, is shaping up as a significant storyline in Malawi’s political landscape. Both leaders have vowed to lead Malawi into a new era, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest.
