Fake news, albino murders, and a rapping would-be first lady are just some of the topics taking centre stage in the run-up to Malawi’s general elections on Tuesday.Corruption has also been a key theme in campaigning in the small southern African country, which is one of the most impoverished in the world.There are two main contenders vying for the presidency: incumbent Peter Mutharika of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and former Christian pastor Lazarus Chakwera of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Of the seven candidates competing for the top position, a third, Mutharika’s estranged deputy Saulos Chilima, is expected to take the youth vote with his United Transformation Movement (UTM) and could be a surprise challenger. “There is no obvious favourite candidate. Any of the two top contenders can win. Either Mutharika or Chakwera will carry the day.Even Chilima can make it,” political commentator Humphrey Mvula told DPA.Former Malawian president Joyce Banda had been planning to run again, but withdrew and has backed Chakwera instead.Banda’s time in office, between 2012 and 2014, was marred by a corruption scandal dubbed “Cashgate” whereby the state was defrauded of $32mn.Banda denied any involvement in the diversion of funds.President Mutharika has promised a leaner cabinet and better infrastructure, but his first term in office saw failures in curbing corruption, as well as a spate of albino murders that have made headlines internationally.Some Malawians, like others in the region, believe people with the condition — which causes a lack of skin pigmentation — have magical qualities and use their body parts in “witchcraft.” The belief has led to murders and kidnappings of albino people, including many children.The number of reported crimes against people with albinism in Malawi has risen to over 163 cases, including 22 murders since November 2014, according to official figures cited by Amnesty.Another issue in the lead-up to the polls has been one faced by many democracies in recent years — the spread of fake news.Fake opinion polls have been shared on Facebook alongside forged press releases on the number of parliamentary candidates and a fake template of the presidential candidate ballot.The spread of such material has resulted in the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) releasing a statement telling “all individuals involved in the development and sharing of fake documents or information to desist from the malpractice.”Meanwhile, Chilima’s wife Mary has been stumping for her husband — even releasing a rap video to support his campaign.Dressed in an elegant red suit and hat, the colours of her husband’s UTM party, the would-be Malawian first lady jives and sings some of the song in English, including the phrase “Malawi first.”Malawi, a former British colony where the International Monetary Fund says about 70% of the population live on under $2 a day, relies heavily on donor aid.The county has some 6.8mn registered voters.Malawi was recently hit by floods from Cyclone Idai — which devastated neighbouring Mozambique and also affected Zimbabwe — with dozens killed and thousands displaced.
May 17, 2019 | 12:00 AM