After months of absence from the limelight, former president Peter Mutharika yesterday emerged to present his nomination papers as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate in the September 16 General Election.
His presence at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), besides fulfilling the legal requirement to present papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), set the record straight that he was fit to run for office.
But the attention yesterday, was on both Mutharika’s physicality and the choice of running mate, former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah.
In separate interviews, political analysts said the choice, though advantageous to the DPP, will reinforce a perception that Ansah, while chairing MEC, had links to the DPP which emerged as the winner in the nullified 2019 presidential election.
In a written response, University of Malawi political scientist Gift Sambo said DPP opponents may take advantage of this to discredit the running mate and the party during the campaign.
He further pointed out that the decision may have been informed by the quest to safeguard the interest of the party beyond electoral politics.
Observed Sambo: “This has obviously reinforced the fears of the critics that she was compromised as head of the electoral management body. The challengers may capitalise on this to question the moral credibility of the party.
“In Jane Ansah, the party has settled for an insider who could earn the trust of the current party president. In addition, Ansah has what it takes to command the respect of various factions in the party even in the event that the current torch bearer Professor Peter Mutharika retires from active politics. It appears, the party could not take the risk of entrusting an outsider with the task of deputising Mutharika.”
Wonderful Mkutche, another political scientist, argued that while Ansah’s selection gives credence to claims that she was compromised in 2019, her experience at MEC may benefit DPP.
He said: “As someone who was inside the MEC system, she could also be on help in terms of advising DPP on how to monitor and guard their votes in the voting and counting system.”
Ansah’s link to the DPP remained speculative for almost five years until her announcement to compete for the party’s primaries in Ntcheu.
Her decision may have given credence to allegations that she was biased towards the DPP in the nullified presidential elections in 2020.
Speaking after presenting nomination papers, Mutharika subtly came to the defence of Ansah against this long-standing perception, reiterating that the Constitutional Court’s decision to nullify presidential elections results was out of malice.
“Talking about that election which was nullified, the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Comesa and Sadc said the 2019 elections was one of the best administered elections anywhere. It was only through malice that it was nullified,” said Mutharika, a statement which he has repeated several times in some cases calling it a ‘judicial coup detat’.
To further defuse lingering questions about Ansah’s role in the nullified elections, Mutharika stressed that she was not just a Judge but a God-fearing person who is a bishop at her church. He further justified his choice that he has known her for some time, adding that they worked together when he was minister of justice and she was attorney general.
“In picking a running, I wanted someone who is mature. Somebody who has experience. Somebody who loves this country and also somebody who is God-fearing. You may not know this, Dr. Ansah is a bishop. Her husband is a bishop. She is God-fearing and a person of integrity,” said the presidential aspirant.
Perhaps aware of the fact that his choice may not please others within the party who hoped for this slot, Mutharika appealed for understanding that he could only pick one for the post.
“For those who were left out, I want to say this I can only select one person. I know some of you have said all sorts of things…that is not the right attitude but let’s work together with Dr. Ansah and myself,” pleaded the DPP leader, who has for the third time picked a number two from Ntcheu District.
The first was Saulos Chilima in 2014 and then Everton Chimulirenji in 2019.
Mutharika’s choice of a running mate has followed a common pattern in Malawian politics where candidates tend to go for someone from another region.
But in this election, it appears the gender card is another factor as three candidates have already picked running mates of the opposite sex.
Joyce Banda has picked Khumbo Kachali from the Northern Region, so has Independent presidential candidate from Chiradzulu District, Adil Chilungo, who unveiled Mervis Mwalukowo from Karonga District in the North.
According to Mkutche, in picking Ansah, Mutharika may have considered her profile, region and gender, saying all these are important factors that may influence voting.
On the test for his fitness, Mutharika’s officials and security detail made things worse for him. As he entered the main auditorium at the BICC, the officials made every attempt to block cameras from capturing the former leader.
Nation Publications Limited (NPL) livestreaming equipment was pushed away and journalists ruffled just to prevent any effort to capture the former president on camera.
One of the officials captured on camera trying to remove NPL live-streaming equipment including cameras and lights was Sameer Suleman, who later apologised to the NPL crew for the commotion.
This was just one of the rough incidents that occurred during the event. Earlier, the DPP security detail was also seen blocking other journalists and officials from MEC who tried to restore order. Some ‘armed’ DPP security guards, adorned in the prohibited military-like fatigue dress, were sent out of the premises by MEC officials.
When Mutharika was given an opportunity to present nomination papers, he seemed to struggle to move but regained his confidence on stage. His speech was slow, as usual, but with clarity.
Mutharika appealed for peace during the electoral period saying there is no need to use pangas to suppress others – a reference to recent incidents where panga-wielding thugs have been disrupting demonstrations.
Wrapping up the day yesterday was independent candidate Milward Tobias who presented his nomination papers alongside his running mate Henry Mdebwe, so far the only candidate to have ignored the gender issue.
