In every democracy, the true measure of politics is not found in whispers of propaganda but in the open will of the people. As Malawi moves towards the September elections, it is clear that narratives spun to comfort partisan camps cannot replace reality.
Lately, some voices within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets have tried to convince themselves that their candidate, Peter Mutharika, commands greater support than President Lazarus Chakwera. Yet the evidence in plain sight tells a different story. Crowds flocking to Chakwera’s rallies, visible on live broadcasts and across social media, show an energy that cannot be denied. Excuses about ferried supporters or recycled faces are simply political folklore — a tactic to discredit the referee before the game is decided.
At the heart of this lies a bigger truth: the will of Malawians is not for sale, nor can it be manufactured through wishful thinking. A campaign without momentum cannot substitute silence for strategy. To imagine that one can win without engaging the people is like expecting harvest without planting seed.
As the election draws near, both ruling and opposition parties must remember this: democracy belongs to Malawians, not to political elites. When the people speak on September 16, their choice must be respected, defended, and honoured. That is not a threat — it is the promise of democracy itself.
