Tag Archives: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections

Politics

Vera Kamtukule’s silence: Questions unanswered after primary election defeat

Burnett Munthali

By Burnett Munthali, Maravi Post

When the dust settled after the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections, one name stood out for an unexpected reason: Honourable Minister Vera Kamtukule.

Her defeat sent ripples through the political landscape, stirring intense discussion among voters, analysts, and grassroots party members.

In an effort to provide a platform for clarity and reflection, Maravi Post reached out to Minister Kamtukule with a comprehensive questionnaire.

The questionnaire was carefully crafted to touch on key issues raised by voters and political observers following her loss.

It was sent directly to the Honourable Minister via WhatsApp.

At the time of publishing this article, Minister Kamtukule had not responded to the questionnaire.

Only the familiar blue ticks, signaling that the message had been seen, gave any indication that it had reached her.

The silence from Minister Kamtukule leaves critical questions lingering in the minds of the electorate and the wider public.

Among the issues raised was the matter of political identity.

Many voters reportedly continued to perceive Kamtukule as a member of the UTM party despite her formal move to MCP after the tragic passing of Dr. Saulos Chilima.

We asked how she would explain her transition from UTM to MCP to the general public.

Additionally, we sought her view on whether her political history had played a role in undermining voters’ trust in her candidacy.

Another significant issue was constituency presence.

It was noted that Minister Kamtukule resides in Area 47, a more affluent part of Lilongwe, whereas the community she aspired to represent is based in Chilinde.

The questionnaire asked whether she believed that not residing within the constituency contributed to a sense of disconnection between her and the voters.

We also asked what steps she had taken during her campaign to bridge the gap with the local community.

Interpersonal relations with grassroots MCP members also came under the spotlight.

Reports from several grassroots members painted an image of Kamtukule as rude and arrogant during interface meetings.

We inquired about how she would respond to allegations that she used rough and unkind words when party members expressed their views.

Further, we questioned whether there were specific incidents that could have been misunderstood or misrepresented during these interactions.

The working relationship between Minister Kamtukule and fellow local leaders such as Juliana Kaduya and Councillor Triza was another area of concern.

Multiple reports suggested that Kamtukule openly demonstrated an unwillingness to work as a team with these key figures.

We asked how she would characterize her professional relationship with Kaduya and Triza.

We also sought insights into what challenges, if any, may have made it difficult for her to collaborate with them during public events.

Reflecting on these strained relationships, we asked whether she might have approached things differently if given another chance.

Voters’ reaction and the ultimate primaries outcome form a pivotal part of the post-mortem on her campaign.

Some observers stated that due to these interpersonal conflicts, many voters chose to “deal with the situation” during the voting day by rejecting her candidacy.

We asked Minister Kamtukule whether she had anticipated such a backlash before the elections.

Additionally, we sought to know what efforts she made to repair relationships with the electorate before the primaries.

Another sensitive but crucial issue was the matter of campaign strategies and allegations.

It was alleged that materials and cash handouts were distributed to influence voters on the voting day.

We gave Minister Kamtukule the opportunity to respond to these serious allegations.

We also asked whether she believed her campaign strategy was fair and aligned with the core principles of the Malawi Congress Party.

As part of our effort to encourage reflection, we asked the Minister about the lessons she had learned from this experience.

Specifically, we wanted to know what personal and political insights she had gained from the outcome of the primaries.

Furthermore, we sought to understand what her plans are moving forward, both politically and personally.

Finally, we asked how she intends to rebuild trust with the grassroots members, should she choose to continue her political career.

The questionnaire emphasized that her responses would not only help clarify the circumstances surrounding the primaries but also offer important lessons for future political engagement.

We expressed our hope for openness and cooperation in responding.

However, as of the time this article went to press, Minister Kamtukule had not provided any responses to the questions posed.

The only communication from her side remained the silent blue ticks confirming the receipt of the message.

Her decision not to respond leaves the electorate and the broader political community without the clarifications they sought.

In a democratic environment, silence in the face of accountability can often be interpreted more loudly than words.

It remains to be seen how this chapter will influence Minister Kamtukule’s future in politics.

Will she eventually address the concerns of the voters who once supported her?

Or will this silence mark the beginning of a prolonged period of political rehabilitation?

The public, it seems, is still waiting for answers.

Until then, the questions remain hanging heavily in the air, unanswered and unresolved.

Politics

MCP primary elections in Karonga Lufilya turns into battle field

Maravi Post Reporter

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on Tuesday cancelled its primary elections in the newly demarcated Karonga Lufilya Constituency at eleventh hour after turned into battle field.

The development follows the new faces and names of the delegates as well as the party officials’ false promises.

According to some of the delegates who managed to talk with this publication in a random interview, the officials had their own favoured candidate.

They said some delegates were transported from another constituency, Karonga Town Constituency to the venue inorder to participate in the election.

Apart from that, the delegates accused the party officials for lying that they will provide transport.

“We were told that they will pick us from home but we have come using our means. While we are waiting for their explanation, we saw some vehicles carrying delegates from Karonga Town Constituency to join us. That’s why we started chasing them,” they explained.

The development has angered the whole area including chiefs who said that MCP is taking them as fools as the party cheated them a lot during wards by-elections which it won.

“Even during the recent wards by-elections, MCP came up with fake promises. We thought the party has changed but we were wrong. These elections will not happen here. If they want, they can do it in Karonga Town Constituency,” they lamented.

They then advised one of the candidate, Atusaye Nyondo to defect from MCP and stand on an independent ticket.

According to Brian Mwakikunga, Nyondo is the constituents’ favored candidate but the party does not want him hence the decision to hire delegates from Karonga Town Constituency.

“We are asking Atusaye Nyondo to let MCP play its dirt politics and stand on an independent ticket. We will vote for him and he will carry out the day,” said Mwakikunga.

Another delegate Ellen Munthali said Nyondo has done number of development projects in the area hence their support.

“He can be an independent or join DPP because we followed MCP because of Nyondo. We don’t love MCP here but DPP. So if they don’t want him there he must go back to DPP where he was. We are after development here,” she added.

Karonga district MCP chairperson Emmanuel Nkhoma asked for more time to respond while confirming about the cancellation of the election.

Three candidates namely Atusaye Nyondo, Abraham Mwakhwawa and Dr James Mwaisemba were supposed to compete in the said elections.

Politics, Top News

MCP shames ‘confusionist’ central governor Chalera; Declared Juliana Lunguzi winner in Dedza east MCP primary

Special Absalom
Embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Dedza east constituency Juliana Lunguzi on Monday was finally declared a winner in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections race held on Sunday.
The development contradict with the earlier report made by the party’s presiding officer Peter Chalera who twisted the result and declared Patrick Bandawe a winner.
Confirming the development, MCP spokesperson Rev. Maurice Mnthari said the results reflect what happened on the ground.
According to him, the results announced earlier by Chalera was unofficial and from his head.
“What I am telling you now are official results. Forget about what Chalera said as his results were unofficial. As MCP Lunguzi has carried out the day no one else,” said Mnthari.
He however did not shade more lights if the party will take an action against Chalera for being confusionist.
Chalera earlier  declared Bandawe winner with 821 votes against Lunguzi’s 815 of which as of now is a vice versa.
Maravi Post understand that on the same day, Lunguzi celebrated victory with her supporters as  she had three long queues behind her against Bandawe’s two but results damped her spirit.
Other candidates who contested were Mussa M’bwana, Steven Biswick  and David Kupempha.
Politics, Top News

MCP up for primaries in Kabwila, Lunguzi, Daudi constistuencies Saturday

Maravi Post Author

By Mercy Kawenga, MEC Stringer 

 

The much anticipated Malawi Congress Party( MCP) primary elections are set for Saturday in Salima North West and Dedza East constituencies respectively while for Dowa South East, still in court.

In all of these constituencies, there are women aspirants such as Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Juliana Lunguzi and Halima Daudi who is battling in court  after a court injunction was  obtained against her by the sitting M.P Harry Njoka Chipeni over the way the elections were being handled in Dowa South East.

This is the second time the MCP will be conducting primaries in Salima North West and Dedza East after the first ones were suspended due to violence and while for Dowa South East, the elections didn’t take place as their were differences on the number of  electoral colleges to vote which resulted to the sitting M.P obtaining a court injunction.

However, the party has communicated to all the aspirants advising them to be accompanied by bodyguards to the primary elections venue, a development which is strange and the first of its kind in the mighty MCP.

 

It has been reported that the party has agreed with all the aspirants that only area committees will vote and not constituency, district or regional ones.

Dowa District Council’s chair, Dowa West_ Kayembe ward councilor,  Simeon Nyemba, confirmed that Dowa South East primaries will not  be conducted until the High Court lift the injunction.

Nyemba expressed hope that in the second election to come for Dowa South East, a clear winner will be decided saying the party is working on the area committees to vote.

Primary elections in MCP have been marred by disagreements, complaints and violence prompting some losing candidates accusing the party officials conducting elections of coming with preferred names in their pockets and 23 aspirants are reported to have taken the party to court for failing to handle the primaries in the interest of all.

But, speaking during a District Multi party liason committee meeting held at the Dowa boma recently, Public Affairs Committee( PAC)  Dowa chair, Reverend Fr. Elias Chizule, called on organisations claiming to be supporting women in a quest for 50:50 campaign to assist losing women aspirants in primaries and have capacity to win the elections to stand independent.

Fr. Chizule recommended for a deliberate law which must be put in place to nominate women as MPs and councilors saying the current hostile political environment is not conducive for them to compete against men who have huge resources of supporting their campaign trail.

In his remarks, NGO Gender Coordination Network( GCN) Programs Officer, Anthony Mkupira said organisations for 50:50 campaign have no powers of guiding women who failed in the primaries to stand independent saying it is up the candidate herself to decide which way to go

Politics, Top News

Veteran Lilongwe Mapuyu South lawmaker Njobvuyalema falls in MCP primaries; Road to 2019

Lloyd M’bwana
Lilongwe Mapuyu South lawmaker, Joseph Njobvuyalema, on Thursday became the first long-serving legislator to lose in the ongoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections.
Njobvuyalema lost to youth activist Edward Chileka-Banda in primary elections held at Kang’onga Primary School in the constituency.
Chileka Banda got 470 votes against Njobvuyalema’s 320.
A third contestant, Stella Kathumba, got 50 votes to fall by the wayside.
During the elections, two incumbent councillors also stumbled. In Kamazi Ward, Dominic Banda defeated Edson Kalonga while, in Kachawa Ward, Lucky Nkasauka triumphed over Gibson Macheso.
There was no immediate reaction from Njobvuyalema.
However, Chileka-Banda said he was excited and ready to serve constituents once elected in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections.
“I would best describe it [victory] as crazy because this [triumphing] is something many people did not expect considering that the incumbent is a very experienced politician. So the feeling is so good and, at the same time, it’s a lesson to young people,” he said.
MCP director of elections, Elias Chakwera, yesterday said he was yet to receive a report detailing results of the primaries.
Chakwera said, despite facing hitches in some areas, the party has registered progress in areas it is holding primaries.
“There is a common understanding reached prior to primaries since we opened up to all parties involved. Because of that, we expect to have fewer cases of misunderstandings and violence although you cannot rule that out,” he said.
Chakwera said the party has postponed elections in three constituencies—Dowa Ngala, Lilongwe Msinja South and Dedza West —as they want to clear misunderstandings.
MCP is holding primary elections in the Central Region, where Malawi Electoral Commission’s voter registration exercise was completed.