MCP bashes Malawi govt for ‘withholding funds’ on  Mchinji West by-elections

Main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has angrily reacted to government decision not to fund the Mchinji West by-election, saying the ruling party fears landslide crash in the polls.

Mkaka and MCP officials addressing a news conference on Friday
Mkaka and MCP officials addressing a news conference on Friday
Mkaka: MCP is ready for by-elections
Mkaka: MCP is ready for by-elections

Ministry of Finance recently said they will not release funds for the Mchinji West bye elections because Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has not submitted budget for the Mchinji West bye elections.

MCP deputy secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said at a news conference on Friday his party is set for the by-elections and would win.

“We have reports that the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) do not want to participate in the elections, that is why they are playing this delaying game. Let them participate we will crash them to the bone,” said Mkaka.

Mkaka said the ruling party is not prepared, saying it has not even conducted party primary election to choose a right candidate for the polls.

“The DPP is not contesting, this is why Treasury is withholding the money for the elections. MEC (Malawi Electoral Commission) has told us that they submitted the budget to government long time  ago,” said Mkaka.

He said the MCP cannot force the government release the money but said failure to hold the by-election was in breach of the laws of Malawi which provide for a by-election to be held 60 days after a vacancy occurs in a constituency.

DPP spokesperson Francis Kasaira could not be reached for comment but officials from the regional office for the centre laughed off the matter, saying the DPP would field a candidate.

Treasury spokesperson Nations Msowoya said the government had no money to fund for the by-election as MEC submitted request for the money late.

The government needs to have at least K300 million to run one by-election and the current crop of MEC commissioners had set May 9 for the by-election.

All MEC commissioners term of office ends on May 11 except that of te chairman Maxon Mbedera whose term of office ends in October.

Mchinji West fail vacant after its member of parliament Billy Kanjira Banda died of heart attack in February, just a day after he picked a quarrel with First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje and was sent out of parliament chamber on Friday.

 

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
5 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
aChikondamoyo
aChikondamoyo
7 years ago

Malawi politics!!!

Phwisa
Phwisa
7 years ago

Any sensible and sane Malawian should commend Govt for its decision not to waste money on useless politics . It was the sme MCP recently lambasting Govt about maize issue. The Govt squeezed its budget in order to feed lazy MCP supporters. MCP come up with solutions to Malawian problems.

Game on!
Game on!
7 years ago

Number 1 and 2, musathe mau popeza by elections ili ku Mchinji. Tabadikirani 2019 mudzaone. Ena ndi aja amatumbwa lero pa Zodiak ku Chilanga Mission. Typical of nyau zikakomana. Nzokwendoretsa kuti mpaka lero fans ina sikuidziwa DPP. Mudzalira ndi khofi 2019 and you will be silenced for good. People vote for politicians not self appointed mesiahs.

Petre Mathanyula
Petre Mathanyula
7 years ago

A dpp kuyopa kumenyedwa? Musaope tiyeni ku Mchinji mukaonetse mphavu zanu simumati ndinu otchuka dziko lonse lapansi. Mixxxxx!!!!!!!!

Mzakwacha
Mzakwacha
7 years ago

Frankily speaking,DPP cant&willnt win the by election in mchinji.It can only win may be in the united districts of thyolo&mulanje.Who can vote for quota system dpp in central region?Even dogs&cats,cant.Nanjiso kwathu ku mpoto(The independent Republic of MW North)Dpp is not even wanted.Lets us share malawi.Peter achoke basi if malawi is to develop.Akumulephera mkazi wake,the same kulephela kuyendetsa malawi to develop/remove quota system.Mzakwacha Nixon;Pretoria.+27724922299.

Read previous post:
FA Malawi Veep, SG in Mexico for Fifa Congress

Football Association of Malawi (FAM)  Second Vice President Othaniel Hara and General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda are in Mexico for the...

Close