Assembly for Democracy and Development (ADD) has asked opposition parties to support People’s Party (PP) president Joyce Banda’s candidature in the September 16 General Election.
Announcing ADD’s support towards Banda’s candidature, the party’s secretary general Heavyrock Bonomali said the economic situation in Malawi needs someone with experience and that Banda was the one.
He said the upcoming elections are not just about electing a president, but finding immediate solutions to the dying economy.
Said Bonomali: “The nose diving situation of our economy is very worrisome and we were at the same position in 2011 for those of us who were old enough that time may recall.
“This situation we are in was well managed and reversed with the leadership of Dr. Joyce Banda and the economy started to grow to the extent that we reached 6.2 percent economic growth by 2014.”
ADD president Cassim Chilumpha, the country’s former vice-president, earlier this week withdrew his candidature to support Banda.
PP is in an alliance with Freedom Party, ADD and Malawi Forum for Unity and Development.
PP secretary general Ben Chakhame said the alliance is ready to lead Malawi and address the economic challenges. He cautioned people against rating the alliance partners as underdogs as there is strength in numbers.
Political analyst George Chaima said going by what Banda achieved during her two-year rule, 2012 to 2014, she has the experience to turnaround the economy. He said Banda has also demonstrated to have the welfare of Malawians at heart.
However, he said it will take serious campaigning to grow the numbers to support her.
Results of a survey by the Institute of Public Opinion and Research that sampled 2 600 people from 27 districts showed that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Peter Mutharika is the favourite in the coming elections with 43 percent rating, followed by Malawi Congress Party candidate Lazarus Chakwera at 26 percent, UTM president Dalitso Kabambe at five percent, United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi at two percent and Banda at one percent. There are 12 percent undecided voters while six percent refused to disclose their choice.
