LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A fresh wave of intra-party conflict has hit the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) following an injunction obtained by Everton Chimulirenji, the party’s 2019 presidential running mate.

Chimulirenji has successfully stopped the DPP from conducting a second primary election in Ntcheu North West constituency, a move that underscores the deepening fissures within the opposition party.

The court order also blocks the party from nominating any other candidate to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), aside from Chimulirenji, until a scheduled inter-party hearing on June 18, 2025.

This legal intervention has stalled the DPP’s planned re-run of the primaries, which was controversially scheduled for June 11, just days after the nullification of the previous vote.

The original primary election was held on April 12, 2025, where Chimulirenji contested against former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah.

Chimulirenji was declared the winner of that initial vote, a result that had seemingly sealed his candidacy for the 2025 parliamentary race under the DPP ticket.

However, on June 7, the party’s Director of Elections, Dr. Jean Mathanga, issued a letter informing stakeholders that the April 12 results had been nullified.

According to Dr. Mathanga, the decision to nullify the results was driven by multiple complaints filed by Dr. Ansah, who raised serious allegations of electoral malpractice.

Among the concerns cited were intimidation and interference by party officials, irregular changes to the voting venue, and reports that voting occurred in near-darkness at the Khomba polling site.

These allegations, if substantiated, point to a serious breakdown in electoral integrity and suggest the party is struggling to enforce credible internal democratic processes.

The DPP’s attempt to swiftly organize a re-run without resolving the initial disputes appears to have triggered Chimulirenji’s legal response.

His injunction reflects not only a personal bid to safeguard his nomination but also highlights the party’s internal chaos and lack of cohesive dispute resolution mechanisms.

This episode raises broader questions about the DPP’s preparedness for the 2025 general elections, particularly its ability to present a united front to the electorate.

It also exposes the fragile trust between party candidates and leadership, where legal battles are replacing dialogue and consensus-building.

As the party awaits the June 18 court hearing, its leadership faces mounting pressure to demonstrate transparency, fairness, and adherence to democratic norms in candidate selection.

This internal strife, unfolding in full public view, risks further alienating DPP supporters and undermining the party’s credibility at a critical electoral juncture.

Whether the injunction holds or is overturned, the damage to the party’s image and internal cohesion has already been done.

The battle in Ntcheu North West is no longer just about who represents the DPP—it is about the future of internal democracy within Malawi’s major opposition party.

DPP power struggles erupt as Chimulirenji blocks primary re-run in Ntcheu North West

A fresh wave of intra-party conflict has hit the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) following an injunction obtained by Everton Chimulirenji, the party’s 2019 presidential running mate.

Chimulirenji has successfully stopped the DPP from conducting a second primary election in Ntcheu North West constituency, a move that underscores the deepening fissures within the opposition party.

The court order also blocks the party from nominating any other candidate to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), aside from Chimulirenji, until a scheduled inter-party hearing on June 18, 2025.

This legal intervention has stalled the DPP’s planned re-run of the primaries, which was controversially scheduled for June 11, just days after the nullification of the previous vote.

The original primary election was held on April 12, 2025, where Chimulirenji contested against former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah.

Chimulirenji was declared the winner of that initial vote, a result that had seemingly sealed his candidacy for the 2025 parliamentary race under the DPP ticket.

However, on June 7, the party’s Director of Elections, Dr. Jean Mathanga, issued a letter informing stakeholders that the April 12 results had been nullified.

According to Dr. Mathanga, the decision to nullify the results was driven by multiple complaints filed by Dr. Ansah, who raised serious allegations of electoral malpractice.

Among the concerns cited were intimidation and interference by party officials, irregular changes to the voting venue, and reports that voting occurred in near-darkness at the Khomba polling site.

These allegations, if substantiated, point to a serious breakdown in electoral integrity and suggest the party is struggling to enforce credible internal democratic processes.

The DPP’s attempt to swiftly organize a re-run without resolving the initial disputes appears to have triggered Chimulirenji’s legal response.

His injunction reflects not only a personal bid to safeguard his nomination but also highlights the party’s internal chaos and lack of cohesive dispute resolution mechanisms.

This episode raises broader questions about the DPP’s preparedness for the 2025 general elections, particularly its ability to present a united front to the electorate.

It also exposes the fragile trust between party candidates and leadership, where legal battles are replacing dialogue and consensus-building.

As the party awaits the June 18 court hearing, its leadership faces mounting pressure to demonstrate transparency, fairness, and adherence to democratic norms in candidate selection.

This internal strife, unfolding in full public view, risks further alienating DPP supporters and undermining the party’s credibility at a critical electoral juncture.

Whether the injunction holds or is overturned, the damage to the party’s image and internal cohesion has already been done.

The battle in Ntcheu North West is no longer just about who represents the DPP—it is about the future of internal democracy within Malawi’s major opposition party.