No 50+1? Fine. But don’t think you’re switching your VP pick in the rerun – law says nope!
Blantyre — As Malawi gears up for the high-stakes presidential election on 16th September, one legal expert has decided to spoil the rerun party plans before they even start.
Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, a respected law scholar and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Malawi, has issued a timely legal warning: once you submit your running mate for the first round, there’s no changing your mind if we go to a second round.
In a blunt Facebook post that’s already shaking political WhatsApp groups, Madise said:
“The law is clear. Once a presidential candidate has submitted a nomination with a running mate, that pairing remains the same—even if the election goes into a rerun.”
Let’s break that down for the overambitious campaign strategists: if no candidate wins 50% + 1 of the vote on 16th September and we go into a runoff, only the top two contenders will face off — and with the exact same running mates they started with.
That’s right — no reshuffling, no trading up, no VP shopping spree between rounds. You’re stuck with your political spouse, even if things get awkward.
Madise’s warning comes as political parties continue to scheme behind closed doors, with rumours flying about possible last-minute alliances and “backup” running mates in case round one doesn’t go as planned.
But here’s the twist: Malawi’s Constitution isn’t here for Plan B running mates. Once you’re in, you’re in — and your chosen sidekick is riding with you all the way, whether the public loves them or not.
This is more than just legal fine print. It’s a strategic landmine. Pick the wrong running mate now, and you could be stuck defending that choice twice.
So, dear presidential candidates: choose wisely. Come 16th September, it’s not just your name on the line — it’s your whole ticket.
And if you didn’t know that, well — Dr. Madise just saved you a constitutional crisis. For free.
