President Lazarus Chakwera brought his campaign to a dramatic close on Saturday, addressing tens of thousands of supporters at Lilongwe’s Civo Stadium, with a message that blended gratitude, humility, and a firm pitch for a renewed mandate.
Chakwera, who has toured all regions of Malawi since July, told the crowd that the election on Tuesday was not just about casting a ballot, but about protecting the foundations of development laid during his first term.
“I have heard your concerns about rising prices, shortages of fuel, and delays in business,” he said. “I promise you that the solutions will start from the very day I take the oath again.”
The president urged Malawians to defend what he described as hard-won progress in infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment. “The first vote you gave me allowed us to lay the foundation. The second vote will allow us to protect it and finish the work together,” he added.
In a symbolic moment earlier in the day, Chakwera commissioned the Saulos Klaus Chilima Highway, named after his late deputy. He used the ceremony to deliver a pointed message about time management and governance, contrasting his administration’s work rate with what he described as the “late-coming culture” of the opposition. “Some parties failed even to register their candidates or produce manifestos on time. How can such people run a nation?” he asked.
The closing rally drew huge crowds, reinforcing what analysts say has been a campaign of momentum for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Opinion surveys have suggested a tight race, but the president’s camp is confident that high voter registration in MCP’s stronghold in the central region gives him a decisive edge.
Chakwera concluded by congratulating Malawians in advance for what he called their collective victory. “Whatever reason you have for voting – roads, loans, fertilizer, or peace – congratulations. This is the winning team,” he told the jubilant crowd.
With just days to go, Chakwera’s campaign has positioned him as the frontrunner, with the president banking on strong rural support and a message of continuity to carry him over the crucial 50% plus one threshold needed for an outright win.
