By Arshavello Mponda

Secretary General of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Richard Chimwendo Banda has dismissed the findings of a recent opinion poll on the upcoming September 16, 2025 presidential election.

The survey, conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion and Research (IPOR), shows that former President Peter Mutharika, who is also leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), would win the election with 43 percent of the vote if it were held before July 20.

According to the same poll, President Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the MCP, would come second with 26 percent, while Dalitso Kabambe of the UTM would follow with 5 percent.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Wednesday as President Chakwera submitted his nomination papers, Chimwendo Banda strongly disputed the poll results, arguing that the majority of registered voters are MCP supporters, and therefore the findings are inaccurate and misleading.

He further attributed Malawi’s current challenges to external shocks, including natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global economic instability, which have affected government performance.

Despite the challenges, Chimwendo Banda emphasized that the MCP-led government has already begun addressing the issues, and expressed confidence that most of the problems will be resolved should the party win the upcoming election.