The concept of sampling in statistics; the failure to listen

Peter Mutharika and his running mate Jane Ansah

* Months before the election date, when surveys were being done that pointed towards a Peter Mutharika victory, the Malawi Congress Party did not listen to the message and suppressed it at all cost

* When you see the outcome and reality of the results, the MCP is still suppressing the results. The culture in MCP has always been about covering the truth and allowing for pathological lying to prevail

By Chifipa Mhango

Fellow Malawians, in the early morning of 17th September 2025, I received a call from one of the prominient radio stations in South Africa, wanting to discuss the early ‘unofficial results’. That time, it was just sporadic results but mainly from the North and Central regions.

I used that as a basis for my analysis of the interview, to which the podcast link was shared. I called it that Peter Mutharika is ahead and strangely getting votes in the stronghold of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

I called it that “there is a shift towards Peter Mutharika in Malawi, based on these few unofficial results”.

Indeed, it was too early from the closing of the polls at 4:00pm on the 16th of September 2025. However, the sample of the few results has not changed. Peter Mutharika is still leading in many districts and areas.

Months before the election date, when surveys were being done that pointed towards a Peter Mutharika victory, the Malawi Congress Party did not listen to the message and suppressed it at all cost.

When you see the outcome and reality of the results, the MCP is still suppressing the results. The culture in MCP has always been about covering the truth and allowing for pathological lying to prevail.

It is that which has destroyed the Malawi Congress Party. The state of governance under the Malawi Congress Party, in the 5-year rule since 2020, has been about pathological lies.

It is the most unfortunate that Malawians had to bear the consequences of this behavior for 5 years. The economy was totally destroyed by the leadership of the Malawi Congress Party that lacked the capacity to deal with the challenges — coupled with lack of listening skills and acceptance of the truth. 

As the Malawi Electoral Commission slowly releases the official results of the 16th September 2025 elections, again, the Malawi Congress Party leadership is failing to listen to the will of the people of Malawi

The blame is on themselves, the Malawi Congress Party leadership. Regards.

* Chifipa Mhango is Chief Economist Don Consultancy Group (DCG) as director of economic research & strategy, who has constantly offered solutions to the MCP for the past five years, which went on deaf ears. His media statements were being copied to the President’s economic advisor, Minister of Finance, Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor and his deputy and other concerned authorities.