The Assembly for Democracy and Development (ADD) has officially joined a political alliance with the People’s Party, Mafunde, the Freedom Party, and the People’s Transformation Party (Petra) to support Joyce Banda in the upcoming elections.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Thursday, ADD Secretary General Heavyrock Bonomali said the party believes Joyce Banda is the only hope to rescue Malawians from the challenges they are currently facing.

Bonomali said the party remembers how Joyce Banda turned around the economy in 2012 and believes she can do the same if elected on 16 September.

“There is no doubt that the country is going through economic hardship, so we need someone with the ability to bring change and that person is Dr. Joyce Banda,” said Bonomali.

People’s Party Secretary General Ben Chakhame said this development reflects the growing trust political parties have in Joyce Banda, as the alliance now comprises five parties.

Chakhame said the door is open for other political parties that wish Malawians well to join the alliance and support Joyce Banda on 16 September.

Joyce Banda, who is leading the alliance, is going into the presidential election with the support of Freedom Party president Khumbo Kachali, who served as Vice President during her presidency in 2012.