By close of business yesterday, UTM Party president and the country’s Vice-President Michael Usi had not submitted his presidential nomination papers despite it being the deadline.
Initially, the party had set October 31 as the deadline, but extended to November 4 to accommodate other aspirants that had not made their submission.
But despite the extension, Usi, who protested that the K20 million fee was high, had not submitted his nomination papers.
He was one of six aspirants who declared their interest to contest for the presidency at the November 17 UTM Party elective conference in Mzuzu.
In an interview yesterday, UTM Party administrative secretary Augustine Mtendere, who was tasked with receiving nomination papers, confirmed that he had received nomination papers from only four aspirants, namely Dalitso Kabambe, Mathews Mtumbuka, Patricia Kaliati and Newton Kambala.
He said UTM director of youth Penjani Kalua, who had earlier shown interest, has instead submitted nomination papers for his current position.
Mtendere said he did not have information on Usi’ nomination papers or whether he has paid the nomination fees.
He said: “The party president has not yet communicated to me when he would want to come to present his nomination papers.”
On how many have submitted nomination fees for national executive committee (NEC) positions, Mtendere said he was yet to compile the list.
Efforts to find out from Usi on when he plans to submit the papers proved futile as his numbers could not be reached.
However Usi, besides the nomination fees, has also questioned the deadlines put in place by the party for submission of the nomination papers.
UTM Party set November 17 as the convention date and Article 20 (3)(b) of the party’s constitution provides that the nomination forms be lodged to the returning officer seven days before polling day.
Asked why the party was going against its own constitution, Njawala said the deadlines were a deliberate measure to have members pay in advance so that the party raises enough money for the convention.
He said the organising committee is aware of the provision with regards to time frame.
Meanwhile, political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche has cautioned that if disputes in the party are not resolved before the convention, it will be more divided after its elective indaba.
In an interview yesterday, he urged the party camps to unite for progress.
Observed Mkutche: “The side of State Vice-President Michael Usi is not showing leadership for the party. It is trying to lead the party from the other side, the Tonse Alliance.
“The wrong that the NEC is doing is trying to think that they can make a decision, bypassing the president.”
Another political analyst Chrispin Mphande also said the convention will not solve the conflict in the party if the camps do not address their differences now.
UTM Party has been embroiled in wrangles since the death of its founding president Saulos Chilima in a military plane crash on June 10 2024. Usi ascended to the position of president in line with the party’s constitution.
