By Mabvuto Kalawa, Correspondent — MalawiFreedom.com
As Malawi prepares for its September 16, 2025, general elections, political parties across the country are actively conducting primary elections to identify candidates who will represent them at various levels.
One such party is the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which had scheduled its primaries for April 30, 2025, at the headquarters of Traditional Authority Mazengera in Lilongwe Mpenu Constituency.
The event, however, took a dramatic and unfortunate turn, ending in chaos and violence.
Delegates from various party branches had gathered with enthusiasm and determination to elect their preferred candidate who would carry the party’s flag in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
According to an eyewitness who was also among the delegates, the situation became tense when the presiding officer abruptly announced that the ballot papers were not sufficient to accommodate all voters.
This unexpected announcement sparked outrage among the delegates, many of whom felt disenfranchised and suspected foul play in the electoral process.
What began as verbal disagreements quickly escalated into full-blown physical confrontations, with delegates pushing, shoving, and shouting at each other.
In the heat of the fracas, some individuals went as far as setting fire to the ballot box, burning the already cast votes in protest.
The scene descended into mayhem, with confusion and panic taking over what was supposed to be a peaceful democratic process.
The matter was swiftly reported to Nathenje Police, who responded by rushing to the scene in an attempt to restore order and disperse the hostile crowd.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the commotion, though the tension in the area remained high hours after the incident.
Police confirmed that, as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the violence, though investigations are reportedly underway.
Sources confirmed that six aspirants were vying for the parliamentary seat in Lilongwe Mpenu, all of whom are members of the Malawi Congress Party.
Despite repeated efforts to obtain a statement from MCP officials on the matter, no official comment has been issued, fueling public suspicion and concern.
Some constituents have alleged that the current Member of Parliament manipulated the constituency setup by busing in supporters from outside the area and creating “ghost zones” that were not officially recognized by the party.
These claims, if proven true, may indicate deeper issues of manipulation, exclusion, and voter suppression within the party’s internal processes.
The fracas raises serious questions about the preparedness of political parties to manage internal democracy in a credible, inclusive, and transparent manner.
As tensions rise ahead of the 2025 elections, incidents like this cast a dark shadow on the prospects for peaceful, free, and fair elections in Malawi.
Observers and civil society organizations have consistently warned against political intolerance and electoral malpractice, stressing the importance of conflict-free primaries to set a tone of accountability and fairness.
The events in Lilongwe Mpenu may seem localized, but they reflect broader challenges facing Malawi’s electoral culture, particularly within ruling party structures.
If the ruling party itself cannot manage a simple primary election without violence, what assurance does the public have that the national elections will be any different?
As Malawi inches closer to the September 16 polls, the nation must confront this hard question: are we truly prepared to hold democratic elections free from chaos, corruption, and conflict?
The incident in Lilongwe Mpenu is more than just a political embarrassment — it is a warning sign.
Whether that warning will be heeded remains to be seen.
Stay with MalawiFreedom.com for further developments on this story and broader coverage of Malawi’s path to the 2025 general elections.
