Independence Party president Phunziro Mvula has pledged that all university students will be accommodated within campus premises if elected, criticizing the current education system for marginalizing deserving students.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Thursday, Mvula said the current accommodation crisis reflects broader systemic failures in Malawi’s education sector.
“During our time, students will be well catered for and accommodated, which is not the case now. In the past, we used to have a proper system, and there is need for someone to bring back that system,” Mvula said.
The presidential candidate outlined ambitious economic reforms he claims will fund his education promises. Mvula said he would exercise power cautiously to avoid creating dependency among students while fixing the economy and creating wealth to better serve citizens.
His proposed cost-cutting measures include reducing the cabinet to no more than 10 ministers, eliminating luxury vehicles for ministers, publishing government expenses monthly, cutting presidential salary and allowances, and reducing the State House budget.
Mvula said the savings would be redirected to productive sectors, including fertilizer production and education system improvements.
“We will build a local fertilizer manufacturing company because we are an agribusiness country. We can no longer be importing fertilizers, thereby helping to relieve pressure on foreign exchange,” Mvula explained.
He also promised education reform through “action-oriented systems” that would help students understand and utilize Malawi’s natural resources while building responsible citizenship.
Mvula expressed confidence in winning the upcoming elections, dismissing his main opponents as inadequate. He compared choosing between the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to “choosing between typhoid or cholera,” claiming both parties have damaged the economy and lack solutions for recovery.
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Malawi’s 7.2 million registered voters will participate in three simultaneous elections featuring 17 presidential candidates, 229 parliamentary constituency contests, and 509 local government councillor positions.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has confirmed that all ballot papers have been delivered and are stored under 24-hour police guard. MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja announced that distribution to district and city commissioners’ offices will proceed in phases this week, with police escorts ensuring security before final deployment to polling centers.
