By Arnold Mnelemba
The former governing party, People’s (PP) has announced that all preparations for primary elections have been concluded.
Speaking at press briefing in Lilongwe, the party’s director of elections Lawrence Bisika said the primary elections will be held from January 7 to January 14.
According to Bisika the party is geared to contest in 165 constituencies out of the 193.
Out of 462 seats in respective councils, the party will field 330 aspirants for councillors.
The party’s leader Dr. Joyce Banda will appear on the ballot paper, the party has declared.
“We have tactically, selected the 165 constituencies because we have derived a winning strategy, we have confidence that so far, we can carry the day in these constituencies.”
“Vetting process is still going on in the remaining 28 constituencies and should we get better candidates, we be able to amend the list,” said Bisika.
Concurring with Bisika was the party’s publicity secretary Ackson Kalaile Banda who said a five day notice has been given to all aspirants in all constituencies as per the provision of the party’s constitution.
Apart from the director of elections and the publicity secretary, the director of women Edith Ntunga also graced the briefing.
The party ruled out possibilities of violence and mismanagement of the process saying the party’s leader is peaceful and preaches that to all it’s members.
Bisika said the party will not favour any candidate but leave it to people to elect a candidate of their choice.
The opposition Malawi Congress Party, MCP, already concluded the process that was marred by so many irregularities.
The ruling Democratic Progressive, DPP, is currently conducting primary elections that can’t go without being noticed as controversy has been recorded in several constituencies.
United Transformation Movement, UTM will hold it primaries on Thursday, January 3 across the country.
The process has seen giants falling in some places.
