BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Mount Soche Hotel is expected to turn into a boiling pot of emotions this morning as the main opposition Malawi Congress Party and its alliance partners will be presenting their nomination papers this morning.
As usual, the commercial city has been gripped by a wave of political fever in the countdown to the ceremony which people have been waiting with bated breaths.
Even natural elements appear to acknowledge the importance of the special occasion and, cold conditions which had turned Blantyre into a mini-version of London in the week, leading to the big occasion, suddenly have given way to sunshine.
There has been much talk on who is going to lead the MCP-UTM alliance but according to the Malawi Electoral Commission, Lazarus Chakwera is likely to the carry the flag of the alliance with Saulos Chilima as a possible running mate.
The programme by Mec indicates that MCP president Lazarus Chakwera, whose party is in an electoral alliance with UTM, is expected to present his nomination papers today at 9 a.m. while President Peter Mutharika whose party sealed a deal with UDF will present his on Thursday.
While speculation has been rife that Chakwera will lead the MCP/UTM alliance and Mutharika will lead the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)/UDF alliance, all the involved parties have not clearly come out on their deals.
Mwafulirwa also indicated that the names on the list that Mec has released do not necessarily show who will lead the respective alliances as that is beyond Mec’s mandate.
“The list has been developed basing on the names given when collecting nomination papers. Who becomes the candidate is the choice of the political parties and so too who becomes the running mate,” he said.
He added that it is possible that new names can come in to be added to the list if they meet all the requirements before the last day of submitting the nomination papers.
“The commission gets to know of the actual candidates and their running mates when they present their nomination papers,” Mwafulirwa said.
MCP Secretary General Eisenhower Mkaka also maintained that Chakwera’s name on the list was only representing the alliance and not necessarily indicating forthrightly that he was leading it.
“We are still discussing the details of the alliance including who is going to lead it,” Mkaka said.
He added that Chakwera’s name was provided to Mec for formality purpose, to put it on record that the alliance will be represented at the event where the nomination papers will be presented.
Malawians are going to the fresh presidential election on July 2 after the Constitutional Court nullified the May 2019 presidential poll on the basis of what the court termed as massive and systematic irregularities, among others.
MULANJE-(MaraviPost)-The opposition UTM party and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) electoral alliance is not leaving stones turned in the Lhomwe belt as efforts are made in enhancing the grand coalition.
On Sunday, March 29, 2020, UTMCP alliance’ partner Umodzi Party was in UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati’s Mkando area in Mulanje for strengthening the coalition.
The meeting also aimed at incorporating Umodzi Party’s area of campaign expertise to the UTM developments on ground as well as introducing the Umodzi Party ground force to the people of Mulanje and the whole Southern region.
The Sunday’s meeting attracted UTM leaders from all nine Constituencies in Mulanje district and aimed at highlighting issues of the alliance.
Umodzi Party’s decision to join UTMCP forces is to give Malawians hope of having effective leadership for the country.
The UTM Secretary General Kaliati reasoned with the people to be part of new beginning of productive politics for betterment of Malawi.
“Our President Dr Saulos Chilima is not departing from UTM and UTM is not dying, lather the party is opening doors to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to work with the winning team.
“In this coming elections we are rescuing all suffering Malawians hence UTMCP alliance and the presence of Umodzi Party today should not come as a surprise. Politics is not a one man show. We need to work with others if indeed saving Malawi is our core objective,” she said.
Added Kaliati, “With such words I urge you leaders not to relax. Let us continue with UTM gatherings and campaign. Corona Virus is real and it is true that having a gathering of more than a hundred people is not recommended”.
Kaliati also cautioned the people against Corona Virus and the need to avoid HIV/ Aids so that people may live to see what UTM and Dr Saulos Chilima have to offer this country .
The Umodzi Party representatives who graced the meeting included The Secretary General Thomas Kawomba , National Director of women Donnatta Kamwendo and the Director of Youth Michael Chawinga
IUmodzi Party Secretary General Kawomba therefore lauded UTM for extending the olive branch to other parties with the objective of rescuing Malawi.
“We are here to materialize our relationship with UTM. This is an evidence that our partnership is not only podium relationship but includes with it the energy and will to work together .
“This is the time for Malawi to come together and claim the country we have had, the country of no tribalism and favoritism, the country where basics like food which is also highlighted in UTM manifesto is not luxury. We believe that there will be the spirit of togetherness towards campaign exercise,” said Thomas
Malawi is expected to hold fresh presidential elections following February 3, 2020 Constitutional Court (ConCourt) nullification of May 21, 2019 polls.
Umodzi Party President John Chisi joining UTM party rally in Blantyre
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-UTM party and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) electoral alliance seems getting grounds while attracting other opposition parties for one force a head of May 21, 2020 fresh presidential elections.
This was testified with the coming in of Umodzi Party and Mafunde leaders Dr. John Chisi and George Mnesa respectively into UTM and MCP electoral alliance.
Chisi and Mnesa joined the alliance during the UTM Njamba Blantyre rally on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
The two lauded the formation of the alliance for Malawians interests.
The alliance is expected to dislodge President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance into power.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Its now official that oppositions UTM party and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have come into reason to form an electoral alliance ahead of May 21, fresh presidential elections.
This comes after weeks of rumors of the alliance aimed at dislodging President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on driving seat.
In a press statement on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, made available to The Maravi Post, the two parties will sign the alliance agreement in view of the public on March 19, at Bingu Convention Centre in the capital Lilongwe.
The UTM statement signed by Dr. Chidanti Malunga and Patricia Kaliati Publicity Secretary, UTM Secretary General, UTM respectively says the alliance has arrived at “appreciating the undoubted importance of unity among all Malawians, irrespective of political persuasions, to the attainment of this country’s development goals.
“Recognising that cooperation between well-meaning and unselfish Malawians sharing common political ideologies and interests is indispensable and in the interests of ordinary Malawians”.
Below is UTM statement
STATEMENT OF UTM ON ALLIANCE WITH THE MALAWI CONGRESS PARTY TSOGOLO LATHU
We, the members of the UTM (hereinafter ‘the Party’) acting through our duly elected leaders and together with our existing alliance partners;
Appreciating the undoubted importance of unity among all Malawians, irrespective of political persuasions, to the attainment of this country’s development goals.
Recognising that cooperation between well-meaning and unselfish Malawians sharing common political ideologies and interests is indispensable and in the interests of ordinary Malawians.
Realising that there is a groundswell of support for a united front among Malawians discontented with the sad state of affairs in this country.
Hereby announce that we have resolved to form an electoral alliance with the Malawi Congress Party for the purposes of contesting in the May 2020 Presidential Elections;
The Party’s President and State Vice-President, Rt. Hon. Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, has been mandated to conclude the final details of the Alliance Agreement on behalf of the Party;
It is further hereby announced that the signing ceremony of the Alliance Agreement shall take place at Bingu International Conference Centre on 19th March, 2020 at 10:00 hours.
Dated this 11th day of March, 2020 signed by;
Hon. Dr. Chidanti Malunga Hon. Patricia Kaliati Publicity Secretary, UTM Secretary General, UTM
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on February 3, 2020 shamed President Peter Mutharika alongside Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and embattled Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
The ConCourt brought back the lost glory of conducting
credible elections and taming laziness among Malawians that once the president
is sworn in, that’s it all, and nothing can come along to nullify polls.
The February 3′ landmark presidential election case ruling, humbled crooked politicians who manipulated the entire electoral body system to their interests.
Fresh presidential polls in the next 79 days if it’s really
practical holding (time factor) should give a new era for Malawians to put insightful
leadership that serves interests of citizenry.
Malawi being presidential system of government that head of
state has it all on his or her head to run the show of the country, good choice
must be made.
Most Malawians want an electoral alliance to meet 50+1
presidential vote which is now very critical to attain.
The article focuses on Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM
party possible electoral alliance for the fresh presidential election.
Both camps have confirmed talking to each on the alliance
but most contentious issue is who must lead the movement to unseat Mutharika
and DPP.
Firstly, MCP must shave its ego taking Dr. Lazarus Chakwera
as semi-god and only leader can take into power. This is wrong.
Secondly, MCP must tame its arrogance of having many lawmakers as being popular shamefully whose Member of Parliament (MP) are only from central region partly Northern region.
Now, when negotiating for electoral alliance a number of
areas must be looked into; appealing, resourceful, marketer, insightful, taming
regionalism, nepotism and among others.
Why Chilima must lead the alliance not Chakwera? Although
MCP loyalists will not accept facts outlined below.
Appealing, marketing mode
When you take Chilima and Chakwera to the public, the UTM leader has an edge over Chakwera the way the two talks to the people. Chilima has youth appeal across the country while Chakwera only within the party and central region. Chilima knows how sell the product that’s why he managed to get over one million tippexed votes just nine months after establishment of UTM.
Practical Manifesto
UTM has practical and appealable Manifesto than that of MCP:
Three course meal, removing presidential immunity when entangled into law,
affordable social services provision; water, electricity, farm inputs and among
others. Chilima has always explained in details how will be achieved.
Taming regionalism, favoritism and nepotism
Look, MCP leadership is full of members from one district Lilongwe
which Chakwera comes from. What if he becomes head of state? What type of
cabinet are we going to have? We are talking of insightful leadership here.
Chakwera once becomes a head of state will have the entire mandate to fire and
hire everyone to favor his people. Chakwera has not proved to be a good leader
who stands on national interests but personal and power hungry.
In UTM, Chilima being at the helm of the party, positions
are shared across the country not by regions, tribe.
Resourceful and entangle with political monies to run party affairs
Generally, Chakwera is not blessed with giving out spirit, always waits to receive. This is dangerous. Chakwra has been always financially supported to run his family and party even if he gets resources only puts them to his chest. Just recently, Simbi Phiri of Khato Construction firm told the nation that he supports both DPP and Chakwera. Will Chakwera going to be free from Simbi once get the high office?
On the other hand, Chilima is result-oriented person that
those who work with him knows exactly that Chilima is a man of his own word.
Chilima has ability to mobilize resources for the party unlike Chakwera who
always wait to receive.
Leadership skills
Chakwera has never shown serious leadership skills in MCP. For instance, he failed to united former party’s district and regional chairpersons into new MCP. The matter ended up in court whose results till now is not yet resolved. Eventually, towards May 21 polls, many of them joined other parties.
Chakwera failed also to work along with the former party
gurus: Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Gustav Kaliwo, Richard Msowoya, Joseph Njovuyalema,
Chatinkha Chidzanja Nkhoma and others for fear of being ousted from his
position.
Now, will Chakwera going to be a listening head of state
from dissenting views? Even at his constituency, the MCP leader is not in good
terms with locals.
On the other hand, Chilima is proved to be insightful leader
while serving as Malawi Vice President. Chilima was once tussled with Mutharika
on other wrong path government takes which is rarely in MCP camp where Chakwera
is taken as semi-god.
Chakwera has the vengeance spirit on those deemed to cross
his ways unlike Chilima who recently said the past is gone, the nation needs to
move forward.
Therefore, Chilima will be able work beyond party politics
to serve Malawi than Chakwera who is docile to handle pertinent issues.
Son and neighbor factor
Chilima is a son to Mutharika and DPP who knows exactly what government machinery does while Chakwera is neighbor who just sees things outside the door of government.
This is the reason Mutharika and DPP fear a lot Chilima than
Chakwera as the latter knows exactly how government system works to win
elections.
So, those on the negotiation team let Chilima lead the alliance to save the nation otherwise putting Chakwera on driving seat, the nation will be a country of vengeance.
Chilima is already Malawi Vice President why should he be again the same post when Chakwera has never served any ministerial position?
If Chilima accepts second slot again, thats his political career end.
Let the Holy Spirit guides the negotiations for better Malawi.
Malawi breaking news and World News. News about Malawi, Malawi Business, Malawi Tourism, Malawi Politics, Malawi News, World and Africa Top News.
