Campaigning is intensifying ahead of the June 30 Lilongwe City Bwaila parliamentary by-election. During a rally in Chinsapo Township, Opposition Leader Simplex Chithyola Banda urged voters to support Malawi Congress Party candidate Precious Kabambe, arguing that the nation is facing a severe economic crisis marked by a falling kwacha and rising prices, according to Nyasa Times. In the same constituency, Second Vice President and Alliance for Democracy leader Enock Chihana publicly endorsed Democratic Progressive Party candidate Mike Chinzukira. This public endorsement highlights a growing informal cooperation between the two political groups.
In Karonga South Constituency, candidates competing in the June 30 Uliwa Ward by-election have been formally warned against distributing handouts to voters. Nation Online reports that the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties held a sensitization meeting to remind political representatives that handing out money or gifts violates the Political Parties Act. Officials cautioned that the practice pressures candidates financially and often leads to elected officials abandoning their developmental duties to recover campaign costs.
At the national level, the diplomatic network of Malawi is facing scrutiny as Parliament's Public Appointments Committee conducts confirmation hearings for newly designated ambassadors and high commissioners. According to Nation Online, the parliamentary vetting process has initiated a debate over the value of the country's 25 foreign missions. Retired diplomats are publicly urging the government to establish clear trade, investment, and tourism objectives before deploying envoys abroad.