By Edwin Mauluka
The UTM presidential candidate Dalitso Kabambe has sent a congratulatory message to former president Peter Mutharika, the front-runner in Malawi’s September 16, 2025 presidential elections, currently leading with 70% of votes tallied, according to calculations by The Forum.
While official results are still being tabulated, all political parties have access to preliminary counts through their election monitors, providing a clear sense of candidate standings.
“The democratic process has spoken, and the will of the Malawian people must be respected and upheld,” Kabambe said in a statement. He added, “A peaceful transfer of power will be a testament to the maturity of our democracy and the resilience of our nation.”
Kabambe also called on the incoming president to order a thorough and independent inquiry into the tragic death of UTM leader the late Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima, whose passing remains a matter of deep national concern.
Chilima and eight others died in a military aircraft accident on June 10, 2024, near Chikangawa in Nkhata Bay district. A Commission of Inquiry, appointed by President Lazarus Chakwera on October 25, 2024, and chaired by Justice Jabbar Alide, released its findings in December 2024, ruling out foul play. However, the report was met with public skepticism.
“Addressing this matter with transparency and urgency will help bring closure to the nation and reaffirm our collective commitment to justice and accountability,” Kabambe said.
Kabambe also cautioned against retribution following Mutharika’s victory, urging the new leadership to focus on inclusiveness, healing political divisions, and strengthening Malawi’s economy. The opposition leader, an economist, emphasized that all Malawians must work together regardless of political differences to promote stability and prosperity. He appealed for peace and unity across the country.
According to unofficial and partial results released by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Kabambe currently trails in third place. The main contest is between Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and incumbent Malawi Congress Party candidate Lazarus Chakwera. Of the 13 councils announced so far, Mutharika leads with 501,837 votes, followed by Chakwera with 210,137, maintaining a 70% lead among results reported to date.
