Presidential debate organisers have come under fire for restricting the showdown to candidates of leading parties represented in Parliament, with some critics describing the arrangement as unfair and disenfranchising the sidelined hopefuls.
There are 20 presidential candidates who have so far collected nomination papers from Malawi Electoral Commission and are due to start submitting tomorrow.
However, Presidential Debates Task Force chairperson Golden Matonga, in an interview yesterday, said for logistical purposes they decided to restrict participation to political parties represented in Parliament.
This means that only presidential candidates for the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Alliance for Democracy (Aford), People’s Party (PP) and UTM Party are eligible. However, Aford president Enock Chihana did not collect his nomination papers; hence, leaving five candidates.
Matonga, who is also Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter chairperson, said they believe the restriction will give participating candidates ample time to outline their ideas fully and clearly while making the debates meaningful.
“We do not want to give a platform to candidates who have not done any critical work in the past, but just want to appear on the podium and participate in the debate,” he said.
Matonga conceded that the arrangement may appear to give unfair advantage to some candidates, but said the organisers recognise that the candidates do not have the same chance of becoming head of State.
He further said the arrangement is also similar to what happens in some democratic countries such as the United States of America.
But in an interview yesterday, Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi presidential candidate Akwame Bandawe questioned the task force’s move, stating that the candidates that have been left out have new ideas to present to Malawians.
In a separate interview, People’s Development Party (PDP) spokesperson Rhodes Msonkho said all candidates have something to offer to voters.
But independent presidential hopeful Milward Tobias said the organisers can do the debate in a way they find fit and he has no problem with the route they have taken.
On his part, political analyst Ernest Thindwa said the organisers should either involve all candidates or cancel the debates.
He said anybody who is trying to promote issue-based politics and fair elections should ensure that every candidate is given a fair chance.
The presidential debates are expected to be held in Lilongwe in three separate rounds with the first debate scheduled for August 21 at the Bingu International Convention Centre.
The task force organising the debates comprises representatives from the media, government and civil society, among others.
Meanwhile, the task force yesterday met officials from UTM Party to discuss the party’s participation in the debate.
Besides Tobias, other independent candidates in the race include Revelend Hardwick Kaliya, Cosmas Chipojola, Phunziro Mvula, Smart Swira and Adil Chilungo.
On the other hand hopefuls on party tickets are Bandawe, President Lazarus Chakwera of MCP, Vice-President Michael Usi representing Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, Kondwani Nankhumwa of PDP, former president Joyce Banda of PP, Atupele Muluzi of UDF and Daniel Dube of Nationalist Patriotic Party.
Others are former president Peter Mutharika representing DPP, Frank Mwenifumbo of National Development Party, Dalitso Kabambe of UTM Party, Kamuzu Chibambo of People’s Transformation Party, David Mbewe of Liberation for Economic Freedom Party, former vice-president Cassim Chilumpha leading Assembly for Democracy and Development and Jordan Sauti of Patriotic Citizens Party.
