As the campaign period for the August 16 General Election reaches its climax, candidates are intensifying their efforts to reach 7.2 million eligible voters. 

With 17 presidential candidates on the ballot, voters have a wide range of manifestos promising a better, more prosperous Malawi for its 21 million citizens.

However, a closer look at the manifestos of the three major contenders – the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and UTM – reveals a common thread: expensive proposals that raise questions about feasibility, given Malawi's fragile economy.

This article analyzes the manifestos, finding them heavy on promises and extravagant expenditures