As the campaign clock ticks down, the question remains: have Malawians made up their minds, or will the independents surprise the nation on polling day?
While political parties have moved around the country with whistles, rallies, and media briefings, analysts and observers note that the energy has been unusually low compared to previous elections.
Many Malawians describe the campaign season as less vibrant, raising questions about whether voters have already made their choices.
One notable observation has been the limited visibility of independent presidential candidates. Unlike major political parties, few independents have organised rallies to sell their ideas to the electorate.
Political analyst George Chaima attributes this trend to a long-standing challenge independents face in presidential races.
He argues that while many independents possess the intelligence and vision for governance, they often fail to translate these qualities into the political arena.
“Most independent candidates are intelligent, but they find it difficult to stand out in the political system,” Chaima said. He added that independents usually lack the confidence to compete with established parties, which often leaves them overshadowed.
Chaima further pointed out that Malawians’ limited understanding of the democratic system contributes to the difficulty independents face, noting that some candidates even align themselves with larger parties instead of campaigning vigorously on their own.
However, not all independents agree with this view. Milward Tobias, an independent presidential candidate, insists he is confident of victory. He argues that his unique campaign strategy sets him apart from both traditional parties and fellow independents.
“The same methods have been used for a long time. Even big parties with high-level campaigns are not making a difference in the political industry,” Tobias said. “I choose to influence Malawians differently. If you ask me if I have confidence, I will say I do, because I have done a good job and I will win the seat.”
The Malawi Electoral Commission approved 17 presidential candidates for the 2025 tripartite election with 11 representing political parties and six standing as independents.
The official campaign period for Malawi’s 2025 General Elections began on 14 July and will close on 14 September at exactly 6:00 a.m., before Malawians cast their votes on 16 September.
By Flora Jobe Nyirenda
