FAM elections list complete
Battle lines are finally drawn in Football Association of Malawi (FAM) elections after the electoral committee on Wednesday released the final list of contestants for the December 12 polls.
The list was released after the appeals committee, comprising a panel of Justice Lovemore Chikopa and George Bakuwa, made determinations on five applications. Two of the five appellants were successful while the other three were thrown out.
Canada-based presidential aspirant Willy Yabwanya Phiri’s appeal successfully overturned the Electoral Committee’s earlier decision to disqualify him on the basis that he resides outside the country.
Hubert Mfune’s appeal against the decision to bar him because he did not submit a Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) was also successful.
But Tiya Somba-Banda’s appeal that vice-presidential aspirant James Mwenda should not be allowed to contest because he did not submit a MSCE was thrown out.
FAM executive committee member Paul Mzungu, who was disqualified for failing to submit a profile, also had his appeal dismissed.
Kondwani Jawati, who was challenging presidential aspirant Wilkins Mijiga’s candidature, arguing that the marketer has not been in football for the required five years, also had his appeal thrown out.
In his reaction, presidential aspirant Yabwanya said: “I had no doubt that I would successfully overturn the earlier decision because my appeal was very strong,” the Karonga United owner said.
But Somba, who is Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer, said it was a sad day for Malawi football.
“The ruling to allow people who did not submit MSCE sets a precedent that one can be FAM executive member without the academic qualification. Therefore, we need to change Article 34.2 of FAM constitution in order to reflect the same so that people should not abuse it,” said Somba-Banda.
A statement from the electoral committee confirmed that incumbent president Walter Nyamilandu, Mijiga and Yabwanya face off in the top position.
In first vice-president positions, it is a two-horse race between Mwenda and Somba just like in the second vice-president race between O’thaniel Hara and Pikao Ngalamila.
Alfred Gunda, Jabbar Alide, Rashid Ntelera, Daud Mtanthiko, Flora Mwandira, Hubert Mfune and Masauko Medi battle it out in the executive committee members’ race.
FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said according to rules and regulations governing Malawi football, the list was final and nobody can challenge it.
