Dr. Michael Usi to Collect Nomination Papers for Presidential Race Today
Published on July 14, 2025 at 9:59 AM by Edgar Naitha
The leader of the Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu party and Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi, has announced that he will collect his nomination papers today to contest in the upcoming presidential election.
Usi made the announcement on Sunday during a political rally held at Katoto Square in Mzuzu, marking a shift from his earlier remarks last week when he said he was “not in a hurry” to obtain the approval to contest. At the time, Usi stated that he knew what he was doing and saw no need to rush the process.
His decision comes amid growing speculation about whether he would run independently or form an alliance — particularly with mounting public interest in a potential partnership with the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
So far, 17 individuals have collected letters of approval to contest the presidential election. The confirmed candidates are:
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- Milward Tobias: Independent
- Adil James Chilungo: Independent
- Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera: Malawi Congress Party (MCP)
- Kondwani Nankhumwa: People’s Development Party (PDP)
- Akwame Bandawe: Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA)
- Joyce Banda: People’s Party (PP)
- Atupele Austin Muluzi: United Democratic Front (UDF)
- Reverend Hardwick Kaliya: Independent
- Arthur Peter Mutharika: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
- Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo: National Development Party (NDP)
- Dalitso Kabambe: UTM
- Kamuzu Walter Chibambo: People’s Transformation Party (Petra)
- Smart Swira: Independent
- David Mbewe: Liberation for Economic Freedom Party (LEFP)
- Cassim Chilumpha: Assembly for Democracy and Development (ADD)
- Cosmas Felix Chipojola: Independent
- Daniel Dube: National Patriotic Party (NPP)
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has set the deadline for the collection and submission of nomination papers for July 30.
