Lilongwe, Malawi-The 2025 Presidential Debates Task Force has confirmed that the highly anticipated series of presidential debates will go ahead, despite the withdrawal of two of Malawi’s largest political parties — the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
The debates, scheduled for August 21, August 29, and September 4, 2025, aim to provide voters with a platform to hear directly from presidential hopefuls on critical national issues including economic recovery, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance.
Task Force Chairperson Golden Matonga stressed the importance of the debates, saying that while participation is voluntary, candidates have a democratic responsibility to engage with the public.
“Non-participation may imply denying citizens an opportunity to get answers and make informed decisions,” he said.
Why MCP and DPP Pulled Out
MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila announced that President Lazarus Chakwera would not attend, citing “lack of transparency and inadequate consultation” in the planning process. Similarly, DPP spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba confirmed that former President Peter Mutharika will not take part in the debates.
Who Will Participate
Despite the absence of the two main rivals, the stage will feature at least three confirmed candidates:
Dr. Dalitso Kabambe (UTM)
Atupele Muluzi (UDF)
Dr. Joyce Banda (PP)
These contenders are expected to use the platform to present their visions and policies to the Malawian electorate.
What This Means for Malawi’s Democracy
Observers note that the absence of MCP and DPP could weaken public scrutiny of leading candidates but also creates an opening for other contenders to connect with undecided voters. The Task Force has vowed to maintain transparency and fairness as the debates move forward.
