By Vincent Gunde
Catherine Ndiwo Banda who has won the hearts of many people in Dowa Ngala constituency for the16th September, 2025 Parliamentary Elections, has formally withdrawn her candidacy from the upcoming primary elections.
Ndiwo Banda said continuing to participate under the current circumstances would not align with her principles of fairness, transparency, and democratic integrity kindly requesting the Director of Elections in the MCP Dr. Elias Chakwera who is also a candidate for the same constituency to remove her name from the list of candidates on the Primary Elections Ballot.
In a letter dated 5th May, 2025 to the MCPs Director of Elections, Ndiwo Banda has reminded the party that the past two primary elections were marred by significant irregularities which have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the process.
Ndiwo Banda said despite efforts made to address these issues, meaningful reforms have not been implemented, the lack of transparency continues to undermine trust in the electoral process saying her withdraw of candidacy from the upcoming primary elections does not mean moving away from the MCP promising that she will always remain a member.
She said a fair and democratic primary elections is the cornerstone of any political party’s legitimacy, ensuring that candidates are chosen through the will of the people rather than through questionable practices.
“Without a commitment to free and fair elections, I cannot in good conscience remain a contender,” reads Ndiwo Banda’s letter in part.
In the letter, Ndiwo Banda has expressed her sincere hope that the party leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera takes the necessary steps to restore credibility and uphold the democratic values all are aspiring to.
Ndiwo Banda has assured the MCP that she remained committed to serving the people of Dowa Ngala constituency and advocating for positive change in other capacities in the mighty Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
However, Ndiwo Banda after withdrawing her candidacy for the upcoming primary elections, she has decided to compete as an independent Member of Parliament (MP) on the 16th September, 2025 General Elections.
A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, has praised Catherine Ndiwo Banda for proving to the MCP that she does not want to participate in an election whose winner was already decided by the party.
Kamphangala has encouraged Ndiwo Banda to stand independent to shame the MCP that she is capable of delivering development projects in Dowa Ngala constituency assuring her that she will defeat the MCP candidate in the elections to come.
He has appealed to MCP losing candidates through dubious primary elections not to give up but to stand as independent candidate assuring them that surprises will be elected as new Members of Parliament and those with names in the party, will not cross the wilderness.
“Don’t give up, many independent candidates will make their way to Parliament, the country will have a new President and new Members of Parliament with mindset change,” said Kamphangala.
