As Malawi gears up for the September 16, 2025 General Elections, anticipation is building around a series of presidential debates scheduled for August and September. The debates, organized by the Presidential Debates Task Force, aim to give voters a closer look at the vision and policies of the country’s top contenders — including former president Peter Mutharika, incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, and newcomer Kenneth Kambambe.
The Presidential Debates Task Force, a coalition comprising media houses, civil society organisations, and government representatives, met on Wednesday with officials from the People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) in Lilongwe to discuss their participation in the upcoming forums.
Following the meeting, PP Secretary General Ben Chakhame confirmed the party’s readiness to take part in the debates.
“We look forward to sharing our agenda with the public. These debates are a valuable platform to present our ideas and engage with the people of Malawi,” said Chakhame.
“These debates are not just about political competition — they’re about fostering peaceful co-existence. Candidates will engage in constructive dialogue on policy issues, allowing Malawians to make informed choices,” said Matonga.
The debates, supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), are a continuation of a tradition established in the 2014 and 2019 election cycles. The task force will soon engage other political parties to confirm their participation.
Golden Matonga, Chairperson of the Task Force and head of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, emphasized the importance of the debates in promoting national unity and democratic engagement.
The initiative is also designed to boost citizen participation in Malawi’s democratic processes by allowing voters to hear directly from the presidential candidates on their proposed solutions to national challenges.
The Presidential Debates Task Force includes a broad network of partners such as the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, Malawi Human Rights Commission, Malawi Law Society, Public Affairs Committee, Media Council of Malawi, and the National Youth Council of Malawi, among others. Prominent media organizations like Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Times Group, and civic institutions such as CHRR and NICET are also involved.
Stay tuned to NyasaToday for updates on the presidential debate schedule and how you can tune in.
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