Residents of northern Malawi have made it clear that no political party or alliance will win their votes in the 2025 elections without engaging them directly. They insist that candidates must show up in person, present their plans, and answer questions before expecting support.
Speaking with one voice, community members rejected what they call “blind business” — a local phrase meaning making political choices without knowing the person behind the promises. They pointed to President Lazarus Chakwera’s ongoing presence in the region as the standard for serious campaigners.
“Chakwera is here. He is telling us his plans, and we have the chance to challenge him on things we don’t understand. That is respect,” said a resident. The people said they were impressed by Chakwera’s responses to questions on the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) manifesto and his pledge to continue major development projects in the north if re-elected.
But their demands extend to all political players. “We want to see you, hear you, and question you directly,” they stressed.
This comes after Democratic Progressive Party–AFORD Alliance second vice president Enoch Chihana suggested that former President Peter Mutharika would not need to personally visit the districts during his campaign. The reaction from the locals was firm: “No!”
“If Mutharika wants the northern vote, let him come here himself. Let him answer our questions. If he does not, then he should forget about the north,” said one outspoken villager, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The strong statement from northern voters is a warning to all political parties — leadership in Malawi’s north must be earned through direct engagement, not distant promises.
