Malawi Elections

Hey, let's talk Malawi presidential elections, which are only 3 weeks away!

Peter wa Mutharika

There are four major contenders, including Joyce Banda, the incumbent, for PP (People's Party). MCP (Malawi Congress Party), which is the party that ruled Malawi from independence in 1964 until the first multiparty elections in 1994, is represented by Dr Chakwera. UDF (United Democratic Front) is represented by Atupele Muluzi, son of former president Bakili Muluzi (1994-2004). And DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) is represented by Peter wa Mutharika, brother of the late president Bingu, who died of a heart attack while in office.

President Joyce Banda.
(Lindsay Mgbor,
Dept. International Development)

It's an interesting election. Normally I'd expect the incumbent to win, but this time the incumbent is a woman who succeeded to office through Bingu's death, not election. I'm interested to see if Malawi has confidence in a female president. Afterall, Joyce Banda is only the second female president in the entire continent.

Also, this is the first election with televised debates. How cool is that! I only wish I could find them online. In any case, President Banda decided she was "too busy" with her campaign schedule to participate.

They say our last elections (2009) were the second most peaceful in Africa. I don't actually know where I heard that, but it seems plausible. I was there at the time, and election day passed just like any other day. Either way, you can join Malawi today in a day of prayer for peaceful elections, led by several Muslim organisations and Protestant churches.