By Prisca Mashushu
Presidential Debates Taskforce has notified the media, development partners and the general public that the country will hold three presidential debates ahead of the September 16 elections to give Malawians an opportunity to examine the presidential candidates.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday in Lilongwe, Chairperson of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, Golden Matonga explained that the debates will place a crucial role creating a platform for the candidates to address pressing issues of transforming the country.
Matonga said that the past election observer reports show that Malawi’s political environment during elections is characterised by personal issues, religious and tribal identities as points for garnering support with discussion of critical issues of national importance non-existent or pushed to the peripheral.
“The debates will create a platform for transparency and accountability from all the aspiring candidates as people will be able to question their work on the actual ground once elected into power.
“This will also help to promote national unity as the presidential candidates will be given a chance to debate in a peaceful manner without creating violence;” Matonga who is also the chairperson for presidential debates added.
Meanwhile, Executive Director for Centre for Multiparty Democracy, Boniface Chibwana said the opportunity of debates to aspiring candidates is a chance to allow them to come out and present their beliefs when it comes to politics.
“So far, we have been monitoring the campaign and there is no any violence that has been observed and we expect smooth progress until the end of it.
“We commend all political parties for their tolerance and peace shown during this campaign period and we urge them to continue doing them in a peaceful manner,” he added.
The 2025 debates taskforce consists of MISA Malawi, Media Council of Malawi, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Times Group, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Nation Publications Limited. The Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Public Affairs Committee (PAC), NGO- Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN), National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), among others.
The event is scheduled to take place from August 1, 21, 29 and September 4, 2025 at Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convection Centre in Lilongwe.
