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The Parliament of Malawi, which was constituted in 2019, has been officially dissolved in preparation for the country’s upcoming general elections set for 16 September 2025. The announcement was made by Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara, in line with constitutional provisions requiring the suspension of parliamentary functions ahead of a general election.
In a formal statement issued on Wednesday, Speaker Hara confirmed that all legislative, representative, and oversight functions of Parliament have ceased effective immediately. She underscored that this dissolution is a constitutional requirement that applies during every electoral year.
However, the Speaker noted that the Malawian Constitution includes a safeguard allowing the President to temporarily recall Parliament in the event of a national emergency or constitutional crisis. In such cases, Parliament may reconvene solely to address the specific issue before disbanding again.
The upcoming elections will see Malawians vote for a new President, Members of Parliament, and Local Government Officials for the 2025–2030 term. According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, at least 20 presidential aspirants are expected to submit nomination papers between 24 and 30 July 2025.
Key contenders in the presidential race include:
- President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party, seeking re-election.
- Former President Peter Mutharika, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
- Former President Joyce Banda, running under the People’s Party.
- Dalitso Kabambe, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, representing the United Transformation Movement (UTM).
With both former and current leaders in the fray, political analysts anticipate a tightly contested election—potentially the most competitive since Malawi transitioned to multi-party democracy in 1994.
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The dissolution of Parliament is a well-established constitutional practice aimed at ensuring a level playing field during the campaign period. It prevents incumbents from leveraging parliamentary privileges for political gain and reinforces Malawi’s commitment to fair democratic processes. The timing also allows the Electoral Commission ample space to prepare for a transparent and credible election. As the election season unfolds, civil society groups, international observers, and regional organizations like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are expected to monitor developments closely to uphold democratic standards and constitutional compliance.