Independent presidential hopeful Thoko Banda has hailed Malawi’s 2025 elections as peaceful and democratic, urging Malawians to respect diverse views, support MEC’s mandate, and focus on unity and development beyond the presidency.
By Thoko Banda
I – Thoko Banda – am excited to stand here and express my pride in Malawians for having completed these peaceful democratic elections. Despite so many so-called experts predicting disruptions, these elections have, for the most part, shown the best qualities of our Malawianness.
May I remind Malawians that these elections are not only about electing a new President. It is also about electing members of parliament and ward councillors. The ward councillors are vitally important for delivering actual prosperity to our people. They are closest to people on the ground, in everyday life. As we comment on the presidential level, let’s not ignore this importance of ward councillors and of legislators.
Additionally, it is important that we remind ourselves and each other that our democracy will be stronger when we allow for diversity of opinions. Even if we dislike a particular political party or leadership, let us not forget that they too are Malawians, with constitutionally protected rights to assemble freely. If anyone feels aggrieved or that there has been vote manipulation, it is vital for our democracy that we allow – and even encourage them – to lodge their grievances with the Malawi Electoral Commission or with the Registrar of Political Parties. One of the worst evils in a democracy is that of people who think their political perspective is the only legitimate perspective and the only legitimate opinion for all of Malawi.
Citizen’s rights to free expression must be both encouraged and protected. In fact, I believe that it is only those who have the maturity to hear out and respect opposing political perspectives that are healthy for our democracy. Cowardly bullies who demand that their view alone is the view that all Malawians must adopt are unhealthy for the vibrancy of this Republic of Malawi.
It is also vital that, whether we have partisan grievances with them or not, the Malawi Electoral Commission should be encouraged, assisted, and supported in carrying out their constitutional mandate. This is healthy both for building institutional capacity within the MEC and for building a culture of social cohesion, political plurality, and robust nationhood amongst Malawians – over time. About four district results have been officially released by MEC so far, and about 13 centres are under investigation for irregularities. Let’s encourage a thorough ventilation of all reported grievances to the satisfaction of all stakeholders in these elections, without prejudice, without fear, without favour. Long-term, the vibrancy of our democracy, the inclusiveness of our robust interactions, the upskilling of electoral officials and of our youth, and the unity of our people is more important than any political party or parties, more important than any candidate or group of candidates.
“One of the worst evils in a democracy is that of people who think their political perspective is the only legitimate perspective and the only legitimate opinion for all of Malawi.”
Our development partners from around the globe, our traditional and religious leaders here at home, and our civil servants have all played a pivotal role in helping ensure the successful implementation of these elections. As the electoral season draws to a close, i extend a warmhearted Malawian invitation to our fellow Africans from across SADC and this blessed continent to come and visit our beautiful country. Engage with us and trade with us as brothers and sister with one bright pan-African destiny. I warmly also invite our friends from across the world’s oceans to also come and experience Malawi and her vibrant traditions, her vast opportunities for rest and relaxation and joint ventures, and so much more.
As official results continue to trickle in, I have the pleasure of congratulating on three levels.
First, I would like to applaud the other 16 presidential candidates and their running mates, all of them, for having the courage to put themselves in the public firing line in the interest of serving our people. It takes humility, selflessness, and extraordinary guts to do so. I appreciate you all.
Secondly, I wish to thank the ever professional Malawi Defense Forces, the Malawi Police Service, and the Malawi Prison Services for keeping the peace and for protecting the custodianship of the polling personnel, polling stations and ballot papers. I salute you. In a similar vein, I wish to thank the many teachers, health workers, and others who dedicated themselves to administering the complex process of electioneering, coordinated by a Malawi Electoral Commission that faced a near impossible task in complex political waters. Thank you.
Thirdly, I would like to congratulate my friend, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, for his successful comeback from the injustice of 2020. Prof. Mutharika ran an intelligent campaign. Whoever wins will have earned a deserved victory. If MEC does end up certifying you as the winner of this presidential election, I pray God’s guidance so you, and your running mate Dr. Jane Ansah, as the winner of this election, may surround yourselves with worthy advisors as you embark on this sacred journey of delivering on the aspirations of the people of Malawi. Congratulations.
In hopeful anticipation that President Lazarus Chakwera too shall also accept the verdict of the Malawi Electoral Commission, whichever way it goes, I applaud him. Beyond this, I am grateful to my running mate, Hon. Vera Kaludzu, for sharing this calling, this journey, with me. Malawi’s future is bright with young, dedicated leaders like you.
I heartily thank my daughter for her wise counsel beyond her years, her tolerance as well as her resilience and support in the face of sometimes vicious personal attacks. You humble me. You and your generation should take your places in leading this continent to its rightful place of dignified leadership of this world.
Profound thanks go also to my young campaign team that worked diligently and tirelessly behind-the-scenes. I hope that this campaign season gave you good front seat experience in frontline politics. Grow on the strength of the lessons you have learned. Be fearless and unapologetic in believing in yourselves, in your peers and in your country. Above all, remain professional, with attention to detail, so that your generation can define the prosperity of our country and beyond.
Malawians everywhere: the elections are now over. The vote counting will continue and will soon end. It will produce only one presidential winner yet the real winner shall be our nation. The election is over. Malawians have made their choice and so let us patiently await MEC’s formal announcement of what that choice is.
It is now time to focus on developing our country and ensuring Chuma ku Wanthu so that what belongs to the people duly benefits the people. I have met amazing Malawians all over the country during this campaign season. Your infectious hope, despite the abject poverty circumstances that have been created by previous leaderships, is truly inspiring. You can count on my continued engagement, for your deserved benefit.
Let us all wish the incoming administration well. If they succeed it will mean the lives of Malawians will improve. If they fail, it will mean that the needless man- made suffering of Malawians will continue, if not worsen. We must insist on prioritising the success of the Malawi nation.
Let’s all serve the success of our Malawi, for Malawians, with fierce loyalty to the Malawi collective, with brazen creativity, and with focused belief. Tiyeni nazoni (Let’s get on with it).
Ndine (Sincerely),
Thoko Banda
