All eyes were in Lilongwe at Bingu International Conference Center (BICC)Yesterday where eight of the 12 Presidential Candidates in the forthcoming tripartite election tussled in the first ever presidential debate.

Among the participant were, United Democratic Front (UDF) Presidential hopeful Atupele Muluzi, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Presidential Candidate Dr Lazarus Chakwera, United Independent Party (UIP) Helen Singh, National Salvation Front (NASAF) President James Nyondo, New Labour Party President Friday Jumbe,Petra President Kamuzu Chibamb, PPM President Mark Katsonga and Umozi Party President Professor John Chisi.

The issue that attracted serious tension in the debate was how the Presidential hopeful in the May 20 are going to deal with corruption which has locked the country leading to donors withholding their aid to Malawi.

In his speech UDF President said: “One person can sell a jet without a question. Our institutions and governance systems have collapsed.

 “ A President can promise to end corruption, but they are not police. We need to change the systems.”

On her part (UIP) President stress the need of the clean-up of Malawi’s political system and move towards eradicating corruption and fostering accountability.

Those not present at the debate were, the ruling People’s Party (PP) president Joyce Banda, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika and the other two.

Meanwhile next debate is scheduled for Tuesday 29 April at the same venue.