16 out of 54 registered parties in Malawi collect nomination paper
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has said that only 16 out of 54 registered political parties had collected nomination papers for that country’s May 20 Tripartite Elections.
MEC is distributing the nomination papers through Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) but MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa could not be drawn to name the parties that have collected the papers so far.
“The parties were advised to communicate the quantity of nomination papers they want to the CMD and CMD relays the number to MEC which processes the forms for the party,” said Mwafulirwa.
The commission announced that all candidates who will contest on a political party ticket should get nomination forms from their Secretary General who also have to endorse the nomination of their candidates.
According to Mwafulirwa, the commission is expecting all 54 registered political parties to collect the papers since a key purpose for any political party is to contest in an elections.
He however said collection of nomination papers is not compulsory hence cannot force the parties to collect the forms.
“Submission of nomination papers will be from 10 to 14 February 2014 and all parties should collect the nomination forms before them. All unused nomination forms should also be submitted back to us,” said Mwafulirwa.
A total of 193 constituencies and 462 wards are expected to be competed for in the May tripartite elections and so far apart from the four major parties- MCP, UDF, PP and DPP- they are a hoard of political parties that have indicated that they will also field presidential candidates.
Malawians are at the moment holding their breath as they await announcements of the choice of running mates for the major candidates.
