The Umodzi Party, a key member of the Tonse Alliance, has dismissed the recent Afrobarometer Survey, describing it as politically influenced and lacking credibility.
The survey findings suggest that if elections were held in August, the Tonse Alliance government would lose to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). According to the results, 43 percent of voters would support the DPP, compared to 29 percent for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Meanwhile, UTM would garner 7 percent, UDF 2 percent, and other parties would collectively share 1 percent of the votes.
The survey also indicates that only a third of Malawians are satisfied with President Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership. Conducted in August with a sample size of 1,200 respondents, the survey has sparked heated debate about its methodology and representation of public opinion.
Additionally, Afrobarometer highlights alarming findings on corruption in Malawi, reporting that 78 percent of citizens fear speaking out or reporting corruption due to potential retaliation. The report, titled “Amid Rising Corruption, Most Africans Say They Risk Retaliation if They Speak Up,” reveals that only 21 percent of Malawians feel free to report corruption, while 13 percent see corruption as the country’s most pressing issue.
“Concerns about retaliation are widespread, especially among those with higher education who may be more aware of the risks, although the fear is less pronounced among wealthier citizens,” the report notes.
In response, the Umodzi Party issued a statement strongly rejecting the survey’s findings, calling into question its methodology and impartiality.
“The Afrobarometer survey fails to reflect the true sentiments of Malawians. Its limited sample size and exclusion of diverse voices render its results unreliable. We believe these findings do not represent the overwhelming support the Tonse Alliance enjoys nationwide.
“We call for an independent and credible survey that captures grassroots perspectives and acknowledges the Tonse Alliance’s significant achievements in areas like electricity supply, education, and water services,” the statement reads.
The party urged Malawians to maintain their support for the Tonse Alliance, emphasizing that the current administration is driving Malawi toward sustainable growth and development.
Umodzi Party President Thommas Wezzie Kaumba encouraged stakeholders to focus on unity and integrity for the nation’s progress.
“The Tonse Alliance is committed to serving all Malawians with transparency, equity, and a steadfast resolve to improve lives,” Kaumba said.
The Umodzi Party’s critique follows a similar rejection by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). MCP Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwira argued that while institutions have the right to conduct surveys, such research must genuinely reflect the views of voters rather than a small, unrepresentative sample.
Kabwira pointed to President Chakwera’s efforts to address pressing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Cyclone Freddy, floods, and hunger relief, as evidence of the administration’s positive impact across the country.
“Our grassroots supporters recognize the government’s achievements, and we remain confident in their continued backing,” Kabwira said.
Political and social commentator Silvester Ayuba James also criticized the survey, describing it as biased and lacking transparency about the locations and demographics of respondents.
Speaking to the Malawi News Agency, Ayuba underscored the importance of inclusive surveys that capture the opinions of voters from diverse backgrounds.
“Surveys should be conducted in areas where voters make critical decisions. The responses will vary depending on the context and location of the participants, such as tobacco farmers or other key groups,” Ayuba noted.
