Washoni Shies Away from MISA Presidential Debate

Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) on Tuesday organise the MISA Malawi presidential debate at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

Three of the candidates, namely Alex Banda, Innocent Mphongolo, and Janet Mtali, confirmed their participation in the event.

However, in a leaked conversation circulating within media circles, another candidate, Felix Washoni, is reported to have shied away from the debate, saying he was committed to another meeting in Blantyre scheduled at the same time.

In a separate press statement released on May 4, 2026, Washoni confirmed that he received an invitation on the night of May 2 to participate in the debate scheduled for May 5. He, however, raised concerns over the arrangement and timing of the event.

Washoni said the 72-hour notice was insufficient to allow adequate preparation, adding that he already had prior work commitments outside Lilongwe, where the debate was taking place.

He further argued that, as part of an internal MISA Malawi electoral process, the debate should primarily target its membership, raising concerns that the current setup may not fully reflect that objective.

The candidate also pointed to a perceived conflict of interest, noting that ZBS, the host of the debate, has an employee contesting in the same election. According to Washoni, this could compromise the neutrality and credibility expected of such a platform.

Washoni has since proposed that future debates be rescheduled with at least four days’ notice and organised by a neutral body, preferably MISA Malawi itself or another independent media institution without direct involvement in the election.

Despite his absence, Washoni reaffirmed his commitment to media freedom, independence, and accountability, stating that he remains open to participating in any fair and transparent platform that allows equal engagement among all candidates.

The MISA Malawi elections continue to attract significant attention, with stakeholders closely following developments ahead of the final polls.