Presidential candidates and running mates in the September 16 Genera l Election have engaged an extra gear in their bid to influence voters to vote for them.
The Nation obser ved that running mates of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), People’s Party (PP), Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party have this week concentrated their efforts in the Northern Region.
DPP’s Jane Ansah was in Karonga yesterday after earlier storming Rumphi, Nkhata Bay and Mzimba.
In an interview yesterday, the retired Justice of Appeal said her target is to conduct whistle-stop rallies in all the six districts in the region.
“Before coming here, I was in the Southern Region. I will visit all regions of the country to tell people about the DPP manifesto,” said Ansah.
Former vice-president Khumbo Kachali, running mate of former president Joyce Banda on the PP ticket, has been canvassing for votes in Mzimba.
When contacted yesterday, he said he was participating in a debate in Mzimba South West Constituency where he is vying for a parliamentary seat.
UTM Party running mate Mathews Mtumbuka and MCP’s Vitumbiko Mumba were both in Karonga on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Mtumbuka was in Rumphi to participate in a parliamentary debate in Rumphi Central Constituency while Mumba travelled to Chitipa for whistle-stop rallies.
Meanwhile, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu presidential candidate Michael Us i continued his campaign in the Southern Region with a whistle -stop tours in Thyolo yesterday.
The party’s secretary general
Happy Kondowe said Usi, who is also the country’s Vice-President, will remain in the Southern Region this weekend before moving to the Central Region next week.
On the other hand, the United Democratic Front (UDF) campaign has been led mainly by presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi while his running mate Rex Kalolo is less visible.
UDF secretary general Genarino Lemani said Kalolo conducted a rally in Salima last weekend and is expected to join Atupele on the campaign trail in the Central and Northern regions.
Par t i es such as Peopl e’s Development Party, Patriotic Citizens Party, National Development Party, People’s Transformation Party and Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi as well as independents Adil Chilungo, Milward Tobias, Thokozani Banda, Cosmas Chipojola, Phunziro Mvula and Smart Swira have been largely missing.
Political analyst Ernest Thindwa observed recently that the Northern Region vote has gained significance in the context of the 50 percent-plus-one vote requirement since people in the region tend to disperse votes among parties with a chance to win.
Malawi Electoral Commission launched the 60-day official campaign period for the on July 14 and it runs until September 14.
