APM in the Lead by 43% in IPOR Polls; Poised to Win the September Presidential Bid

DPP Presidential candidate, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has been declared as the front- runner in the forthcoming election with the commanding lead of 43% against the incumbent Dr Lazarus Chakwera who is at a distance of 26% while Dr Dalitso Kabambe of UTM is at the lowest point of 5%.

The survey was conducted by the University of Malawi (UNIMA) Research Group, Institute of Public Opinion and Research ( IPOR). Announcing the results today in Lilongwe, Professor Michael Chasukwa said many Malawians are eager to vote for new directions.

The survey which was conducted between July 6 and 20, with 27 districts sampled, shows that 95% of registered voters will cast their ballots. But what has come out clear and surprising is that 50% of the youths from ages 18 to 35, they are backing the old man, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika than fellow youthful leaders, like Dr Dalitso Kabambe, Atupele Muluzi and others for obvious reasons.

Reacting to the survey results, DPP Spokesperson, Shadreck Namalomba said his party is thrilled by the results. Namalomba: “the party is particularly pleased to note that His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has a strong following among young voters with 50 percent.

While the survey reports that there is a 14 percent group of undecided voters and a further 6 percent who declined to reveal their choice, we see this as a call to action and opportunity to work harder to convince these groups.

With our people centered manifesto, yet to be unveiled this weekend, we are confident that we will win the election outright with over 50+1 votes,” said Namalomba.

This is the second survey done by the university of Malawi. Last year, Afrobarometer also predicted that the former President would beat president Dr Lazarus Chakwera by over 45%.

Meanwhile President of AFORD Enock Chihana and his party are also beating Dr Dalitso Kabambe and UTM in the national popular vote. Currently Chihana is at over 40% while Dr Dalitso Kabambe is at 5% by comparison.

Therefore, with the newly formed alliance between DPP and AFORD, the prospects of winning the 16 September elations with a landslide are very high. Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is likely to win the Presidential bid by over 50% of the votes all things equal.

Both of these survey findings were released before the presentation of MEC nomination papers. With the current political landscape,  time and circumstances this might have  dramatically changed in favour of APM.