The recently concluded UTM convention, which saw Dr. Dalitso Kabambe clinch the party presidency, has left a cloud of suspicion hanging over the party’s credibility. From reports of power outages during vote counting to unexplained discrepancies in ballot totals, the election process has raised critical questions about fairness, transparency, and the party’s commitment to its reformist ideals. Alarmingly, the glaring issues surrounding the convention appear to have been largely ignored by the party itself (read the new executive) as well as both traditional and print media, raising further concerns about the culture of accountability in Malawi’s political discourse.

Unanswered Questions About the Process

One of the most notable irregularities during the election was the discrepancy in the presidential vote count. While every delegate was issued a single booklet for all positions, the total ballots for the presidential election fell 12 votes short of the numbers recorded for other positions. Coupled with six suspicious power outages during the vote-counting process, this anomaly cannot simply be dismissed as a logistical error. Instead, it underscores the need for an independent review to determine whether these discrepancies were accidental or deliberate.

Reference is made to the 2019 elections case when the defence tried to labour itself justifying some mathematical errors dismissing them as insignificant to the voting process. However, the presiding Judges observed that what was important was not the magnitude of the thievery but the spirit behind such actions.

Adding to the controversy is the decision to engage an auditing firm linked to Shadrick Namalomba, the DPP’s publicity secretary and a close ally of DPP President Peter Mutharika. Namalomba’s connections to DPP President Peter Mutharika—Kabambe’s direct uncle—raise legitimate concerns about a conflict of interest in overseeing the election. Was the auditing firm truly impartial, or did its involvement serve to shield Kabambe’s camp from scrutiny? The optics of this decision alone are enough to undermine confidence in the process, and not only UTM members but also Malawians at large deserve an explanation.

The Role of Money in the Outcome

Dr. Kabambe’s sweeping victory—636 votes compared to Patricia Kaliati’s 21, Matthews Mtumbuka’s 22, and Newton Kambala’s 26—has also fueled allegations that financial resources played a significant role in shaping the outcome. Reports suggest that Kabambe’s camp may have used money to secure loyalty from delegates, election administrators, and even rival camps. Such tactics, if true, run counter to UTM’s founding principles of fairness and integrity.

The party must now reckon with the reality that unchecked financial influence in its leadership elections could erode trust among its members and supporters. Beyond the convention, it raises a broader question for Malawian politics: Can a system tainted by money ever truly serve the people?

Media Silence: A Failure of Accountability

Equally troubling is the silence of Malawi’s media, both traditional and print, on these issues. Despite the gravity of the allegations and their implications for democracy, there has been a noticeable lack of investigative reporting or in-depth analysis. Why have these issues been swept under the rug? Is it complacency, fear of reprisals, or something more insidious? Whatever the reason, the media’s failure to interrogate the integrity of the UTM convention represents a missed opportunity to hold power to account and promote transparency in Malawi’s political processes.

The Way Forward for UTM

For UTM to maintain its credibility and relevance, it cannot afford to sweep these issues aside. The new leadership, under Dr. Kabambe, has a responsibility to address the allegations head-on and restore trust within the party. This begins with a serious retrospective of the election process.

As a starting point, the party should engage a neutral body, unaffiliated with any political actors, to investigate the discrepancies and allegations of vote-buying. The findings of this review must be made public to reassure members and supporters of UTM’s commitment to integrity.

There is also need for electoral reforms. UTM must establish stricter guidelines for campaign financing and delegate engagement to prevent undue influence in future elections. Transparency and fairness should be the cornerstones of its internal democracy.

Dr Kabambe and his team must work to reach out to aggrieved parties instead of further antagonising them as is the case now through various social media posts which glaringly shows that they are meant to “kumvetsa kuwawa” the other side. Dr. Kabambe and his team must prioritize reconciliation with people, such as Kaliati, Mtumbuka, and Kambala. Alienating further these key figures risks further fracturing the party, while an inclusive approach can strengthen UTM’s unity and effectiveness.

The party must go beyond damage control and actively rebuild trust by recommitting to the values that inspired its formation. This includes fostering a culture of accountability and ensuring that decisions reflect the collective will of its members.

Moving Forward Together

While the allegations surrounding the convention cast a shadow over Dr. Kabambe’s leadership, they also present an opportunity for UTM to demonstrate its resilience and commitment to reform. Addressing these issues openly and transparently can set a powerful example for other political parties in Malawi and help the party regain confidence from Malawians.

For those who lost in the elections, this is a moment to show leadership as well as statesmanship and rise above these turbulent moments to focus on the greater good. The legacy of late Saulos Klaus Chilima, who championed reform and unity, should inspire all UTM members to work together for the party’s success and Malawi’s progress.

Finally, the media must step up and play its role in holding leaders accountable. Without rigorous scrutiny, the principles of democracy are weakened, and the public loses faith in its institutions.

As UTM charts its path forward, its leaders and members must ask themselves this difficult question: Are they willing to confront uncomfortable truths for the sake of integrity, or will they allow the party to drift away from its founding ideals? Only by choosing the former can UTM truly embody the change it promises to bring to Malawi, if not then forget it.

The People’s Development Party (PDP) has raised alarm over what it calls a “crisis” in the voter registration process ahead of Malawi’s 2025 general elections.

In a press statement delivered at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe, PDP President Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa criticized the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) for what he described as a “flawed” and “inefficient” voter registration exercise, which is currently underway in multiple districts across the country.

Dr. Nankhumwa expressed deep concern about the widespread delays and technical failures in the process, warning that many eligible voters could be disenfranchised if immediate action is not taken.

“The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is implementing the second phase of voter registration in several cities and districts,” Dr. Nankhumwa said.

“But as we speak, the ongoing voter registration exercise is encountering significant challenges, and many eligible voters across the country risk being denied their fundamental right to register for the upcoming election.”

At the heart of the issue, Dr. Nankhumwa pointed to the failure of the NRB to issue national identification cards (IDs) to citizens in time for registration.

“The NRB’s ability to issue these IDs in a timely manner is central to ensuring that no eligible citizen is left out of the process,” he explained.

“Unfortunately, bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of public awareness campaigns, and inadequate resources have created barriers that could disenfranchise large portions of the electorate.”

The PDP leader warned that such failures could call into question the legitimacy of the 2025 election.

“The failure to address these challenges risks disenfranchising thousands, if not millions, of eligible voters—many of whom are already marginalized by systemic inefficiencies,” he said.

“This is not just a logistical challenge; it’s a direct attack on the democratic rights of Malawians.”

Dr. Nankhumwa further criticized both the MEC and the NRB for their lack of preparedness and efficiency, emphasizing that the credibility of the electoral process is at stake.

He also expressed concern over the NRB’s capacity to manage the registration process effectively, citing delays in ID issuance and the absence of staff at many registration centers.

“These issues are compounded by concerns over the credibility and neutrality of the NRB itself,” he said.

“Given the central role this institution plays in the electoral process, its ability to act with impartiality and competence is essential.”

To address the challenges, Dr. Nankhumwa proposed the creation of an Electoral Integrity Platform (EIP)—a collaborative forum aimed at bringing together key stakeholders, including the MEC, NRB, political parties, and civil society organizations, to ensure that the voter registration process is transparent, inclusive, and effective.

“The establishment of EIP could be a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with the electoral process,” Dr. Nankhumwa said.

“This platform is essential for fostering dialogue, building trust, and implementing effective solutions to enhance electoral integrity.”

The proposed platform would focus on resolving issues such as the delayed issuance of national IDs, technical failures in MEC’s systems, and allegations of voter suppression.

Dr. Nankhumwa also called for a transparent investigation into reports of irregularities and called for the MEC to act decisively to restore public confidence in the election process.

The PDP leader also weighed in on the ongoing calls for the resignation of the MEC Chairperson, Justice Anabel Mtalimanja, who has faced criticism due to her familial ties to former MCP president John Tembo.

Despite defending her personal integrity, Dr. Nankhumwa advised Mtalimanja to consider stepping down, given the public perception that her position may not be neutral.

“Many Malawians now perceive Justice Mtalimanja as a member of MCP regardless of whether her decisions are right or wrong,” he said.

“She has lost the trust of the people, and my advice to her is to protect her integrity.”

Dr. Nankhumwa concluded his statement by calling for unity and collaboration among all stakeholders to resolve the issues plaguing the voter registration process.

“Now is not the time for division or inflammatory rhetoric but for collaboration, with a shared commitment to ensuring that every Malawian can participate in free, fair, and credible elections,” he urged.

As Malawi prepares for the 2025 elections, Dr. Nankhumwa’s remarks highlight the urgent need for electoral reforms to address the inefficiencies and challenges undermining the voter registration process.