MCP in convention delegates battle

Controversy surrounds the status of delegates to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention with regional chairpersons stating that they are yet to submit names and the national secretariat insisting the list is a done deal.

Regional chairpersons have since indicated they will meet to map the way forward ahead of the August 2024 elective convention.

The controversy emanates from a decision communicated by MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka stopping regional chairpersons from filling vacant positions ahead of the convention.

On May 6 2024, he also wrote the regional committees indicating that the delegates lists be submitted by May 10.

However, four of the six regional committees expressed reservations with his directive.

In an interview yesterday, Lakeshore Region chairperson Augustine Chidzanja, one of the four chairpersons who wrote Mkaka on the matter, said they will soon meet to map the way forward.

He said: “We are just discussing and I think by tomorrow we may have something.  As regional chairpersons, we are meeting anytime soon, and then submit the names. We are meeting as heads of departments to discuss.”

But in a response yesterday, MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma said Mkaka’s May 6 letter was merely following the party’s protocol by verifying the information already recorded.

He said: “It is important to note that only MCP members who were officially registered with the party prior to the date the SG sent out letters to regional chairpersons will be permitted to attend the convention.

“Members who joined the party after this date will not be eligible to participate in the convention.”

Mkaka said the decision was made to ensure that only experienced and committed party members, who have had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with its principles and values, are involved to the convention.

In an interview on the issue, governance expert George Chaima said there was need for Mkaka to examine the situation critically.

Article 40 of the MCP constitution stipulates that delegates to the party convention are all members of the NEC, all ministers and deputy ministers if they are members of MCP, all members of the regional committees, but also chairpersons, secretaries and treasurers of all district committees.

MCP is set to hold its elective convention from August 8 to 10 this year ahead of the September 16 2025 General Elections.