New party launches in Malawi: United Independence Party
A new political party has been launched in Malawi to challenge President Joyce Banda’s People’s Party in 2014 elections.
United Independence Party (UIP) announced its formation at a news conference in Blantyre which was held by its president Mrs Helen Singh.
At 69, Helen Singh is enjoying the fruits of running a successful car hire firm from her small office in Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital.
She contested for parliamentary seat in Ntcheu Bwanje constituency on an independent ticket in previous elections but failed to win.
Singh , who is also a pastor and Executive director of Singh Trust, said she is motivated to fight poverty in the country.
“The poverty levels everywhere in Malawi are so distressing after almost 50 years of independence. We have to do something,” she added.
Singh s- who looks after orphans and vulnerable children – said she want to fight corruption, nepotism and political patronage which she noted has become the hallmarks of the conduct of many in public service.
She will be a second woman on the presidential ballot paper which will also have incumbent Joyce Banda. Loveness Gondwe is Malawi’s first female presidential candidate.
But Singh said she want to be supported on merit not to be given preferential treatment as a woman , saying that’s degrading.
Fedelis Kanyongolo, a law lecturer at the University of Malawi is also on record saying gender is not the most important issue in Malawi’s politics.
“It’s a tactical mistake to focus on women. There is no women’s vote. You cannot win because you are a woman. You should win on your abilities,” said Kanyongolo.
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