UTM’s Kabambe presents presidential nomination papers joining 10 other aspirants

* As MEC announces change of dates for official presentations of nomination papers to take place concurrently from July 24-30 July 2025

* Presidential candidates will present to MEC at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe

* Parliamentary and Local Government elections candidates will present at Constituency Returning Office

By Duncan Mlanjira

As at the close of business yesterday, June 17, the number of aspiring candidates for the September 16 presidential election increased to 11 following the submission of UTM Party’s nomination paper for its candidate, Dalitso Kabambe.

He has joined incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party) and former Heads of State, Peter Mutharika (Democratic Progressive Party) and Joyce Banda (People’s Party) and the other 7 — Kondwani Nankhumwa (Peoples Development Party); Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front); Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo (National Development Party); Akwame Bandawe (Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA); and independents, Milward Tobias, Adil James Chilungo and Rev. Hardwick Kaliya.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing today at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, announced change of dates for official presentations of nomination papers for all three elections to take place concurrently from July 24-30 July.

The presidential candidates will present their nominations papers to MEC at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe while the parliamentary and local government elections candidates will present at Constituency Returning Offices.

She added that collection of nomination papers, which began on June 10, will continue up to the final day of receipt of nomination papers while the list of names of duly nominated candidates shall be published by August 8 in the Government Gazette, in at least two newspapers of general circulation, and will also be broadcast on the national radio.

She advised candidates and their election representatives “that they have the right, during the entire nomination period, to request the Commission to examine their nomination papers and supporting documents before formal submission.

“This will help ensure completeness and compliance with legal requirements,” she emphasised. “Upon formal submission of nomination papers, the Commission shall, before the close of the nomination period, notify candidates or their representatives of any defects identified in the nomination papers or supporting documents.

“Candidates will be permitted to rectify such defects before the nomination period closes,” she said, stressing that the changes of dates for receiving nomination papers has considered desirably to be aligned with the dissolution of the National Assembly as provided under section 67(1) of the Constitution — “which also sets the date of polling and section 147 (5) of the Constitution which provide for the dissolution of local government authorities on 23rd July 2025”.

The official 60-day campaign period, that permits candidates and political parties to freely canvass for votes, remains to start from July 14 and to close on September 14 at 06h00 on September 14 — to be conducted in accordance with the electoral laws and the Code of Conduct for Election which MEC has prescribed to regulate the conduct of campaign.

“The official period of campaign is set by law under section 51(2) which states that the period shall close 48 hours before the opening of the poll,” Mtalimanja reiterated.

“This period should be considered as a separate period to the period of nomination. Therefore, candidates and political parties are encouraged to begin their respective campaign activities at the commencement of the campaign period on 14th July 2025 as declared by the Commission.”

She announced the changes were made yesterday at a meeting of Commissioners that resolved to officially declare that — in accordance with section 67 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, as well as sections 27 and 36 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023 — “a General Election shall be held throughout Malawi on Tuesday, 16th September 2025 at the registration centres where registration took place”.

She emphasised that MEC will establish polling stations at these centres where eligible Malawians will vote for the President, Members of Parliament and Councillors across the country, whose polling will commence at 06h00 and close at 16h00.