UTM eliminates party VP post
In what seems a new phenomenon in Malawi politics, the newly-registered UTM party led by Vice-President Saulos Chilima has eliminated the position of vice-president(s) in its rank and file on the premise that the position only creates elements of regionalism.
Political analysts have since cautioned UTM on the move, saying, while the decision is not bad, the party needs to clearly outline procedures on who takes over the mantle of leadership in case of incapacitation of the president.
UTM interim publicity secretary Joseph Chidanti-Malunga confirmed the development in an interview ahead of the party’s first indaba slated for December 17 at Bingu International Convention Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe.
The new set-up, which Chidanti-Malunga says is in accordance with the UTM constitution, runs parallel to the situation in other parties that have VPs in almost all regions.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), its bedfellow United Democratic Front (UDF) and erstwhile ruling People’s Party (PP) have VPs in all the four political regions of the country.
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), on the other hand, has the First and Second VPs shared between the North and the Southern regions, as its president comes from the Central Region.
Chidanti-Malunga said UTM believes that Malawi is ‘one country’ and that the positions of VP only bring about confusion and elements of regionalism in parties.
“We have our own system, but I cannot reveal that today, the details will be provided during the convention on what our constitution says,” he said.
Commenting on the development, Chancellor College-based political analyst Ernest Thindwa noted that due to ethno-regional nature of politics in Malawi, if you let the democratic process to choose leaders, chances are that parties may be led by people from one region, “because these are ethnic parties, not national parties”.
His University of Livingstonia counter-part, George Phiri, said UTM might have studied both models during the one part era where the President did not have the VP and the multiparty time where the VPs are in place.
According to a notice of the convention, all those interested in contesting for positions must submit their nomination papers through a prescribed form that can be collected from the chairperson of the Elections Conference, Masankho Banda.
During the convention, besides electing office bearers, delegates are expected to ratify and adopt the party’s constitution, unveil its manifesto and also endorse a presidential candidate for May 21 2019 elections.
