By Suleman Chitera
As Malawi heads to the polls on September 16, 2025, the Election Watch Organization has released a comprehensive report assessing the campaign period. While the group commended the generally peaceful atmosphere during the electoral campaigns, it raised serious concerns about law enforcement, gender representation, and ongoing electoral malpractices.
Campaign Period Peaceful but Police Criticized
According to Election Watch chairperson Gilford Matonga, the campaign season has been relatively smooth, with limited cases of violence reported. However, he noted that the Malawi Police Service failed to arrest individuals involved in disturbances, raising questions about accountability and enforcement of electoral laws.
The report also revealed a disproportionate police presence at Malawi Congress Party (MCP) rallies compared to other political parties, sparking concerns of bias in law enforcement during the campaign season.
Low Female Representation in Presidential Race
Another issue highlighted by the organization is the low participation of women in the 2025 Malawi elections. Out of 17 presidential candidates, only one woman is contesting, reflecting a continuing gender imbalance in Malawian politics. Election Watch described this as “disappointing” and called for more deliberate efforts to empower women in political leadership.
Vote Buying Still a Major Challenge
Despite legal restrictions, the report confirmed that vote buying remains widespread, with many politicians distributing money and goods to voters, often at night to avoid detection. Election Watch stressed that this practice undermines democratic principles and urged authorities to enforce existing laws.
Election Monitoring and Results Tracking
To ensure transparency, the organization announced that it has deployed 934 observers across the country to monitor voting, counting, and results transmission. Additionally, a results-tracking system has been set up to guarantee that official announcements reflect the actual votes cast by Malawians.
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Looking Ahead to September 16
As the election day approaches, Election Watch has urged Malawians to exercise their democratic right peacefully and responsibly. The organization also called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and security agencies to remain impartial and ensure credible, free, and fair elections.
