59 days to polls: Upholding the campaign code as Malawi enters the crucial stretch

Today, 19 July 2025, marks exactly 59 days before Malawians go to the polls on 16 September 2025.

The nation is now firmly in the midst of the official campaign period.

This phase demands heightened civic responsibility from political actors, supporters, institutions, and ordinary citizens alike.

A key reminder has been issued regarding the lawful handling of campaign materials.

It is an offence for any person to destroy, deface, tear, or in any way damage campaign material that has been displayed in an authorised place or space.

It is equally an offence to superimpose other material over existing campaign posters or banners in a manner that conceals or renders the original message partially or illegible.

Such acts undermine fair political competition and erode respect for electoral norms.

They also risk provoking unnecessary confrontation between rival supporters.

Political tolerance is not merely a moral principle but a practical safeguard against escalation.

All campaign actors are urged to channel grievances through lawful complaint mechanisms rather than resorting to vandalism or intimidation.

Citizens should document suspected violations calmly and report them to appropriate authorities instead of responding with retaliatory action.

Parties are encouraged to brief their grassroots structures daily on prohibited conduct to minimise inadvertent breaches.

Supporters must remember that damaging a rival’s material does not convert a single undecided voter.

Instead, it signals weakness of argument and insecurity of message.

Respecting campaign materials contributes to an environment where voters can access diverse political information freely.

A clean competitive arena enhances the credibility of the mandate eventually conferred at the ballot box.

Every citizen has a role in preserving the integrity of the pre‑election information landscape.

The broader culture of legality developed during the campaign period often carries over into polling day discipline.

Failure to internalise the code now heightens the risks of tension later.

All stakeholders are therefore encouraged to read the full version of the campaign code of conduct.

The document is accessible at the provided publications portal link.

Informed participation is stronger than impulsive reaction.

Compliance today is an investment in peaceful polling tomorrow.

Let the remaining 59 days be characterised by persuasion, policy debate, and respect rather than provocation.

The countdown is not simply a measure of time but a test of national democratic maturity.

Malawi’s collective adherence to the rules will help ensure a credible, orderly, and dignified election.

Each poster preserved, each provocation resisted, and each guideline followed strengthens public confidence in the process.

The path to a legitimate result is paved with everyday acts of restraint and responsibility.

The appeal is simple yet profound: Compete vigorously, disagree peacefully, and protect the democratic space we all share.

Let the countdown inspire discipline, not disorder.

The ballot will belong to those who build, not those who deface.

Malawi’s democracy is watching, learning, and recording who chose honour over impulse.

The obligation to safeguard the campaign environment belongs to all of us.

Peaceful compliance today lays the foundation for credible acceptance of results in September.

The nation advances when law, fairness, and civic pride prevail over sabotage.

The countdown continues, and so does the duty to uphold electoral integrity.