PP, UDF to field 193 aspiring MPs
The People’s Party (PP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) will field parliamentary candidates in all the 193 constituencies whereas the former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will have one candidate less.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) closed receipt of nomination papers on Friday last week and The Nationyesterday sought to find out the number of candidates fielded by the major political parties in the race.
PP acting secretary general Paul Maulidi on Monday said his party will be represented in all the 193 constituencies and 452 wards.
He said: “We have fielded candidates in all the country’s constituencies and we will have all 452 councillors. On this, we are sure.”
UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo also said the party has fielded candidates in all constituencies and wards.
DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi said the party fielded candidates in 192 constituencies.
Said Dausi: “We had problems with Rumphi West Constituency where our candidate delayed to present the nomination papers. But we are fine in all other constituencies, including wards for councillors.”
Malawi Congress Party MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said her party is still compiling the list of constituencies where its candidates filed nomination papers.
“We are still in the process of counting and once we are through, we will let you know,” she said.
Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (Mafunde) president George Nnensa also said his party was not ready with the names.
New Labour Party (NLP) publicity secretary Henry Mkulichi told The Nation that initially, the party expected to field candidates in 60 constituencies because they thought it would pay their nomination fees.
So far, 12 candidates have filed nomination papers to contest the presidency. They are President Joyce Banda of PP, Atupele Muluzi of UDF, Peter Mutharika of DPP, Lazarus Chakwera of MCP, Mark Katsonga Phiri of People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), Davis Katsonga of Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP), John Chisi of Umodzi Party (UP), Helen Singh of United Independent Party (UIP), James Nyondo of National Salvation Front (Nasaf), FridayJumbe of the New Labour Party (NLP), Kamuzu Chibambo of People’s Transformation (Petra) and George Nnensa of Mafunde, who is representing six parties under the electoral coalition banner of Tisintha Alliance.
MEC is yet to formally announce the confirmed list of presidential aspirants after a scrutiny of their nomination papers.
