The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has tightened its grip on the political map, claiming yet another parliamentary seat without a single vote being cast — a development that will send shivers through opposition strongholds ahead of the September 16 elections.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has officially declared Mr Lawrence Chaziya of the MCP the new Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency after he emerged as the only candidate to successfully present nomination papers within the required period.
According to MEC’s statement, electoral law is clear: where there is only one validly nominated candidate, that candidate is automatically elected unopposed. This means no parliamentary election will be held in the constituency next month — the seat is already in MCP hands before the campaign dust has even settled.
In a move that underlines the party’s growing dominance, this latest win adds to President Lazarus Chakwera’s mounting campaign momentum. Political analysts say such uncontested victories are more than just numbers; they send a powerful psychological signal to voters and opponents alike — that MCP’s presence is not just strong, but in some areas, untouchable.
While presidential and local government elections will still proceed in the constituency on September 16, the parliamentary race here is already over. For the opposition, it is another bitter reminder that, as the old saying goes, “the race is easiest to win when your rival never makes it to the starting line.”
From campaign rallies to uncontested seats, the pattern is becoming clear: Chakwera and the MCP are not just competing — they are clearing the field. And with each such victory, the psychological gap between the ruling party and the opposition grows wider, leaving rivals to wonder if the September election will be a contest… or a confirmation.
