Smartmatic voting machines and the company itself have been rocked in various challenges and controversies, especially related to the integrity and transparency of elections in the USA, Philippines, Mozambique and other countries around the world. On August 15, 2024, an article carried by Zero Day written by Kim Zetter published and  seen by this paper, indicated that the machine has a long History of Controversy. The U.S. Justice Department charged three Smartmatic executives accused of paying bribes to win lucrative election contracts in the Philippines. For instance, Roger Piñate, a Venezuelan citizen and president and co-founder of Smartmatic, a voting machine vendor founded in Boca Raton, Florida, was charged with two other current and former Smartmatic executives — Jorge Vasquez, a U.S. citizen and the company’s former vice president of hardware development, as well as Elie Moreno, a Venezuelan-Israeli who oversaw Smartmatic’s Philippine contracts. According to U.S. prosecutors, the three conspired to pay at least $1 million in bribes to Juan Andres Bautista, former chair of the Philippine elections commission. The bribes helped the company win contracts worth more than $180 million to supply about 90,000 voting machines and related election services to the Philippines for its 2016 national elections, authorities say.“No voter fraud has been alleged, and Smartmatic is not indicted,” the spokesman said. Many news stories covered the allegations and mentioned the false claims of election rigging against the company made here in the U.S. by supporters of former President Donald Trump over the 2020 presidential election. Smartmatic had filed $2.7 billion defamation lawsuits against Fox News, other right-leaning news organizations and Trump supporters over those claims. Witnesses claimed that votes in the race for vice president changed dramatically after Smartmatic altered the script, and the Philippine Justice Department charged the head of Smartmatic’s technical support team and two subordinates with making an unauthorized change to the script. Already many people are casting doubts about the integrity and transparency of the machines. The Malawi Electoral Commission MEC must know that alleged corruption anywhere undermines public confidence in elections and democracy and a its a recipe for trouble after elections.

Leaders of the National Development Party (NDP) and Solidarity Alliance have called on fellow political leaders in the northern region to unite and work together as the race to the 16 September polls intensifies. Speaking at a joint rally held at Ngomiyawo School Ground in Mzimba, NDP President Tumpale Mwenefumbo emphasized the need for regional unity, urging parties to form alliances within the northern region before seeking partnerships elsewhere. He said such unity would strengthen the region’s voice in developmental decisions, rather than remaining divided as is currently the case. Mwenefumbo added that the rally demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering unity among political parties. He called on others to follow suit to help lift Malawians, particularly those in the northern region, out of economic hardship. In his remarks, Solidarity Alliance President Victor Buchizga Madhlopa accused political parties of using people from the north during elections but sidelining them when it comes to development. He cited the poor road network in the district as a clear example of political neglect.

UTM Party on Sunday started conducting primaries in constituencies where the party has two or more candidates seeking its ticket in the September 16 General Election. Publicity Secretary Felix Njawala said in an interview on Sunday that there are 61 constituencies out of 229 where primaries will be held. He said primaries were set to start in Chitipa, Karonga and in Neno East Constituency on Sunday. “For some constituencies where the party has one candidate, we already conducted an endorsement process,” said Njawala. Other constituencies where the party intends to conduct primaries include Mzuzu City East, Mzimba Central, Mzimba Perekezi, Kasungu Bua Ntchisi South, Lilongwe City Masintha, Ntcheu Central and Zomba Central. The UTM primary elections will end on June 5 2025, five days before the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) opens the nomination process for local government and parliamentary elections. On the other hand, the United Democratic Front (UDF) expects to start conducting primary elections this week following the closure of the period for receiving nominations from aspirants on May 30 2025. The calendar for the September 16 2025 General Elections shows that MEC will receive nomination papers for parliamentary and presidential candidates between July 1 and July 5 2025.

A total of 174 United Democratic Front (UDF) members have defected to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Machinga District. The high-profile defection ceremony took place at Namitoso Primary School, with DPP Eastern Region Governor Hon. Daud Chikwanje welcoming the new members. The defectors, hailing from UDF regional offices, districts, and constituencies, pledged unwavering support for DPP and its presidential candidate, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, ahead of the September 16 polls. Chikwanje’s appointment has triggered a significant shift in the region’s political landscape, attracting thousands of members from other parties to join DPP. According to the 2024 AFROBAROMETER Dispatch number 782 published by Eric Otu Bechaam, voting intentions at the time of survey indicates that His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was leading by 43% while Chakwera of MCP was trailing behind with 29% while other smaller political parties such as UTM was at 7% , UDF got 2%, other parties shared 1% while undecided voters was at 14% for the Presidential Election. The survey was conducted on the premises of economic gloom where very few Malawians hold hope for improvement after five years of poor economic policies under Chakwera’s administration. It is reported that with the current political landscape, many people from other parties will be joining the DPP in large numbers and it is predicted that 50% of voters in the central region will vote for DPP as well.

The Governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has stated that no political party has approached them to form an alliance ahead of the September elections. In an interview with Capital FM, MCP’s Second Vice Publicity Secretary Ken Msonda says despite the lack of interest from other parties, MCP is fully prepared for the elections and is confident of victory with or without an alliance. “MCP is ready for the elections, we believe we will win, whether or not we go into an alliance,” said Msonda. He further noted that the party is actively working on the ground to address the needs of Malawians and expressed confidence that citizens will re-elect President Lazarus Chakwera in September’s polls. Meanwhile, political commentator George Chaima suggests that other parties may be reluctant to form an alliance with MCP, claiming the party prefers to operate independently.  

A survey conducted by Malawi24 on their Facebook Page this week seen by this paper has revealed that 81% of the population do not want  Reverend Lazarus Chakwera of  MCP to continue as president of Malawi come 16 September 2025. This is coming at a time when the President assured Malawians during the opening ceremony of this year’s Trade Fair on Friday 23rd May, 2025 in Blantyre that he will win the forthcoming presidential elections with landslide  . “Whether you like it or not, I am a winning the presidential elections come 16th September, 2025′. His Excellency the President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera  said this confidently amid ululations from party loyalists who attended the function. 14000 respondents participated in the survey on the question of whether Chakwera must be voted out or be re-elected in September, 2025 to continue governing Malawi for the next five years. 11,337 respondents representing 81% said Chakwera must pack up and go  because he has miserably failed Malawians in many ways.  1,739, representing 13% approved of his leadership style saying Chakwera must be re-elected in September, 2025 to continue governing the country while 737 are undecided. Chakwera became president of the Republic of Malawi after the controversial June, 2020 Constitutional Court ruling on the 2019 Presidential Elections in which the Court ruled in favor of the Malawi Congress Party MCP and United Transformation Movement UTM to nullifying the 2019 Presidential Elections which declared Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika a winner. Chakwera won the election on the Tonse Alliance ticket after over promising Malawians that he was the one to transform the economy and fix broken systems only to worsen the situation. Currently, Chakwera’s approval rating is below 20% against over 50% rating in 2020. Meanwhile, all surveys and public opinion polls are in favour of DPP Presidential candidate, His Excellency the  Former President of the Republic of Malawi, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika as the next president of Malawi.  

Minister of Trade Vitumbiko Mumba has decided to appeal the injunction discharge done by the party leadership and he has since declared what he term war on the ‘Ukraine- Russia War’ on party’s Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda and others in a WhatsApp group called in “Friends of Vitumbiko Mumba” where most people are from the Northern Region. This is what he has posted on his wall; “I have just arrived in Tanzania where I have been invited by Thabo Mbeki to attend the Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Public Lecture and participate in round table discussions on Pan African matters. Remember tomorrow is Africa Day. What I can say are the following: 1. Lies have short legs and be assured, they are acting based on lies which will embarrass them soon 2. I will challenge the discharge plus whatever was used to discharge the injunction. As we speak, the lawyers are working on it this evening. 3. Watch the events as they unfold as it will be very interesting and shocking. 4. Many have been asking me to stand as an independent candidate, which is easier and cheaper. But look, that will be giving in to a few greedy and selfish but noisy individuals who use the party for their selfish goals. Our victory on this matter will liberate many who are oppressed by such gullible individuals 5. The team on the ground, the right voters during primaries, are disappointed by all this and if I dump them, they will be devastated because the “declared winner” used non-party members and non-position holders to hold bogus primaries. They are complaining as you are. 6. As I said last time, real battles are yet to unfold and this one is one of them. But in all these battles, we will conquer. 7. In politics, there is a huge price that one has to pay for refusing to be a bootlicker and hand- clapper of those that bulldoze everything. It’s a temporary issue which will disappear soon 8. Lastly, know that from 1 June onwards, we will be in the constituency and we will get that parliamentary seat at all costs. Those on the ground know the truth that is why these people are doing their best to give a picture that am not popular in the Constituency. In case there are any questions, please feel free and I will respond.” But know that I deeply appreciate your presence here and your love. Don’t be moved at all because I am not moved. Mumba concluded.

The Inspector General of Police Merlin Yolamu has urged political leaders to stop using inflammatory language that has potential to create lawlessness and instability ahead of elections. She was speaking today at the solidarity march in Lilongwe where all political parties were invited to attend. In her remarks, Yolamu said Malawians must be free to attend political party rallies without being threatened by any person. “Let me take this opportunity to warn the youths in the country not be used as vehicles through participating in violence and harassment against other people because the law will catch you. Am also urging all party leaders to rise above petty politics and speak about peace and unity in this country ahead of September polls,” urged the IG”. Earlier, Dr. Ernest Yeboah, who is the police advisor at the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP), says Malawi will only thrive when the citizenry stands firm in a shared purpose. He called for courage, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in the power of one Malawi. Yeboah has challenged politicians that took part in today’s solidarity march against political violence to strengthen unity among their people.

The UTM Party has announced that it will conduct primary elections across all constituencies and wards from June 1 to June 5, in preparation for the upcoming general elections scheduled for September 16. In a statement released on Thursday and signed by party publicity secretary, Felix Njawala, the party has assured all aspirants that the primary elections will be free, fair, and credible. “The party is committed to upholding democratic values and providing a level playing field for all candidates,” Njawala said. The statement also outlined nomination fees for those seeking to contest in the primaries. Parliamentary candidates will be required to pay K300,000, while youths, women, and candidates from marginalized groups will pay a reduced fee of K150,000. In forward councilor positions, male aspirants will pay K100,000, whereas persons with disabilities will pay K50,000. UTM has urged all constituency governors and relevant party structures to support the electoral process and ensure inclusivity and transparency

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has landed in Harare, Zimbabwe, in preparation for the 44th SADC Summit, where leaders from the region will gather to deliberate on innovation and sustainable economic development in Southern Africa. Upon his arrival, Dr. Chakwera received a warm welcome from Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Patricia Kainga Nangozo, along with Malawi’s Ambassador Designate General Peter Namathanga, who is retired, and Zimbabwe’s Envoy to Malawi, Nancy Saungweme, as well as other high-ranking officials. The Malawi leader is set to head back home today after the one-day conference.

The 6th Public Affairs Committee Conference which was held in the commercial capital city of Blantyre from the 20th-21st September 2025, has ended with a plea going out to the Malawi Police Service to enhance security which in turn would ensure more public participation in politics and elections The opposition Democratic Progressive Party DPP through its Director of Elections, Commissioner Dr Jean Mathanga asked the Malawi police service to be as much professional as possible in order to repair its damaged reputation and trust. Dr Mathanga also appealed to the police to arrest perpetrators of political violence and devise it’s security plans in those areas deemed political violence hotspots. Among the areas identified as political violence hotspots, Lilongwe central, Nsundwe, Mzuzu, Karonga, Nkhotakota Central and Nsanje Lalanje featured highly and need special attention. When Alliance for Democracy – AFORD was given the floor, the party’s Director of Elections David Brown Katete condemned the Malawi police for carrying out arbitrary arrest of opposition members only while those from the governing Malawi Congress Party are scort free and enjoy police protection. He also questioned the legality of transferring the suspects from their present location to another distrust or region, saying such a move raises eyebrows. Hon. Katete also took a swipe at the national broadcaster, Malawi broadcasting corporation for being bias towards the government forgetting it’s mandate of serving the public, citing the involvement of the corporation’s director general in propaganda programs aired on television. “This has made the station unpopular among the people and stores anger since such a program promote hate speech and disinformation. The Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, madam Merylyne Yolamu says her organization is doing all it can to stem political violence but admits that there are challenges. She said behind every political violence, there are visible and invisible hands and this is what sometimes, delays arrests.  

Former Attorney General Charles Mhango has diplomatically slammed MEC for proposing indicating that counting of elections results will start on the 17th and not the 16th “immediately” after voting as the law provides for . Mhango has cited Section 91 of the Presidential, Parliamentary, Local Government Act of 2023 which does not support MEC s position on that and this may be concluded by opposition and other stakeholders as a ploy by MEC to rig elections. Mhango quotes Section 91: For the avoidance of doubt, Section 91 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act of 2023 provides that, “Immediately after the close of the poll at any polling station, the presiding officer shall bring all ballot boxes at one place, and, in the presence of polling station officers and representatives of political parties and candidates, if any is present, open the ballots boxes and order the counting of the votes to proceed..” There is no ambiguity about when vote counting will start. What is MEC up to?