By Mabvuto Kalawa – Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent
As Malawi prepares for the much-anticipated general election scheduled for 16th September 2025, political parties are busy conducting primary elections to field candidates of the people’s choice.
One such party is the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which on 13th June 2025 held its primary elections in Lilongwe Mpenu Constituency to elect a shadow councillor for Sanjiko Ward.
The primaries took place at Takumana Primary School, located within the ward.
Before the voting commenced, a DPP regional committee official addressed the gathering and appealed for peace and order during the voting process.
He emphasized the importance of a free, fair, peaceful, and credible election, urging all party members to accept the results in good faith.
The official reminded the voters that in every competition, there can only be one winner, and therefore both victory and defeat should be handled with dignity.
He further urged party members to remember that they are one family, united by the principles of democracy that the DPP upholds.
Two candidates contested in the primary election: Maliko Joseph, a male aspirant, and Jane Banda, a female contender.
After the casting and counting of votes, Jane Banda emerged victorious with 55 votes, while her opponent Maliko Joseph garnered only 17 votes.
With this result, Jane Banda officially became the DPP’s shadow councillor for Sanjiko Ward and will represent the party in the upcoming general election.
Speaking to the media after her victory, Jane Banda expressed joy and confidence in her candidacy, stating that she is ready to contest and is determined to win.
When asked about her priorities for the ward, Jane Banda outlined her commitment to development, noting that the area remains underdeveloped despite having had a councillor in the past.
She highlighted the persistent problem of water shortages in the area, where women are forced to walk long distances to fetch water, which is often unhygienic and unsafe for consumption.
She also pointed to the lack of proper infrastructure, where learners still attend classes under trees due to the absence of classroom blocks.
Additionally, she lamented the lack of a health centre in the ward, which continues to put residents at risk due to limited access to healthcare services.
Jane Banda pledged to work closely with local chiefs and the broader community to ensure improved service delivery and sustainable development in Sanjiko Ward.
She further assured supporters that she would remain loyal to the DPP and would not defect to any other party, promising to be a servant leader.
In a gesture of unity and sportsmanship, Maliko Joseph conceded defeat and pledged to support Jane Banda in her campaign.
Currently, Jane Banda is set to contest for councillor under the DPP banner, while Hon. Davide Kambalame will represent the party as the parliamentary candidate for Lilongwe Mpenu Constituency.
However, the situation on the side of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) remains uncertain, as its primaries ended in disarray last month.
Rumours suggest that Bruno Banda, who once contested as a Member of Parliament on a DPP ticket in 2019 before defecting to MCP, may be the party’s councillor candidate for Sanjiko Ward.
Asked whether she considers Bruno Banda a threat, Jane Banda, smiling, confidently responded that she is not intimidated and will not be.
She likened the contest to the biblical battle between David and Goliath, asserting that her opponent joined a party that has failed Malawians.
She predicted a decisive victory over him, describing it as “a visible and audible loss.”
Commenting on the primaries, one observer commended the DPP for conducting peaceful and democratic elections.
The observer further encouraged the community to consider voting for a female leader, noting that male councillors in the past have failed to bring meaningful development to the area.
“It’s time to give a woman a chance,” the observer remarked.
With the DPP now having its candidates in place, all eyes are on Sanjiko Ward as the race for local leadership intensifies.
