Chancellor College associate professor of political science Blessings Chinsinga has said political parties’ continued silence on running mates is giving a bad signal on their readiness for the 2014 Tripartite Elections.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Monday, Chinsinga said the parties should by now have been winding up on choosing candidates so that people get to know them and make the right choices.
“The parties are supposed to present their nominations soon and I think it would have been better if the parties came up with names of their running mates.
“They should have done that a long time ago and, by now, they should have been through with electing candidates so that people know them better,” he said.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Dr Jessie Kabwila described the issue of running mates as crucial.
She said they are consulting to ensure the party’s prospective running mate is favoured by all.
Kabwila also said MCP would soon announce its running mate. She said preparations for primaries are also at an advanced stage.
UDF spokesperson Ken Ndanga said the party’s president Atupele Muluzi has come up with four names for possible consideration as running mate. He said by January, people would know the running mate.
“I cannot say who the four are, but just know that four people have been identified,” said Ndanga.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional governor for the North, Kenneth Sanga, said the issue of running mates is in the pipeline, but could not comment more.
